Special Missions of the Maritime Self-Defense Force] Photo Report on “10 Days of Tense Close Contact” in the Indo-Pacific
The destroyer "Izumo" leads the "Samidare" in joint training with other navies--Check on China!
The Izumo has excellent food, and I heard comments here and there throughout the ship that the food was “better than any other ship I have ever been on. The “chef de cuisine,” Chief Master Sergeant Sugawara, is a veteran of eight vessels he has sailed on.
He said, “On a long voyage, in addition to nutritional balance, it is important to have a menu that you never get tired of. The crew was surprised that they could eat this. I try day and night to come up with a menu that will surprise the crew.
Even so, the most popular dish is curry,” Chief Sugawara laughed.
While the IPD offers a fulfilling onboard life, training is also conducted. In addition to combat training on the ship, plenty of time is also spent training with the “Samidare,” the ship’s companion vessel. Prior to the ship’s arrival in the Philippines, joint Japan-Australia-U.S.-Philippines drills were also conducted. The exercise demonstrated to the world the determination of the two friendly nations to strengthen their ties and build peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
For Japan, which depends on the Middle East for oil and other energy resources, a blockade of the Indo-Pacific region by China would be a matter of life and death. To protect Japan, special missions continue unnoticed.
