Japan’s Training Ships in Istanbul
The training ships “Kashima” and “Shimakaze” belonging to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force anchored in Istanbul Sarayburnu Port to develop friendly relations between Turkey and Japan and to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The welcoming ceremony held at the port was attended by North Sea Area Commander Rear Admiral Rafet Oktar, Japan Training Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, Japanese Ambassador to Ankara Katsumata Takahiko and Japanese Consul General in Istanbul Kasahara Kenichi. Rear Admiral Oktar welcomed Fleet Commander Nishiyama with flowers and sweets.
At the ceremony, the national anthems of the two countries were sung, emphasizing friendship. Afterwards, the participants took souvenir photos. The ships “Kashima” and “Shimakaze” are making their visits to provide practical training and to promote international goodwill in the ports of call.
The ships, which will be opened to the public as of 10:00 tomorrow (August 11), can be visited until 15:00 on August 11. The ships will stay in Sarayburnu Port until August 12, and then continue their voyage until November 11.
About Training Ships
The training fleet of the ships “Kashima” and “Shimakaze” under the command of Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro has a total of approximately 570 officers, 190 of whom are graduates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Officer Candidate School. This visit to Sarayburnu Port is part of the “2024 Overseas Training Expedition” held between May 20 and November 11.
The ships, which are planned to visit 11 countries and 13 ports during the expedition, will depart for Spain after Turkey. The aim of the overseas training expedition is to enable officer candidates to acquire the basic knowledge and that Self-Defense Force officers should have through practical experience at sea; also to increase their global awareness through joint training and other activities and to promote international goodwill with the countries visited.
