Japan Coast Guard Ship Yashima arrived at the Chennai port on a 4-day visit during which it will hold a joint exercise with Indian Coast Guard (ICG) off Chennai coast tomorrow (Friday).

The ship will participate in Joint Exercise planned with ICG codenamed “Sahyog Kaijin” which is being held at sea off the coast of Chennai on January 12.

This Joint Exercise is being coordinated by Headquarters, Coast Guard Region East headed by Inspector General Donny Michael.

Upon arrival at the Chennai Port, the Japanese CG ship was traditionally given a ceremonial welcome by the delegation of ICG. NCC cadets of Naval Wing and school students from local schools were also present during the welcome ceremony.

A decorated ceremonial band played the tunes to further extend the warm welcome to JCG ship, a defence release said.

During the four-day stay at Chennai, the Japan Coast Guard Ship will be participating in a number of activities including official calls, reciprocal visits onboard ships, sporting, cultural interactions and professional interactions between personnel of both the Coast Guards.

Commanding Officer of Japan Coast Guard ship, Yashima, Captain Yuichi Motoyama IG Donny Michael.

A friendly volleyball match between teams of Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard Ship Yashima was conducted.

The visit of Japan Coast Guard ship is part of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between India and Japan in 2006, to promote interaction between the two Coast Guard organizations, including High Level Visits, Annual Joint Exercises, training exchanges and participation in short term workshops/seminars.

(With UNI inputs)