The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted a boarding inspection exercise with the Sea Patrol Division of the Marshall Islands Police Department and other law enforcement agencies here.
They used the MIRS Jelmae, the patrol vessel donated by Australia, for the exercises.
The exercise aimed to improve maritime onboard search techniques through hands-on training to support the RMI’s law enforcement efforts against suspicious vessels. This includes illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing boats, emerging challenge of drug trafficking in RMI waters and protecting the safety and livelihoods of the people.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force training team was in Majuro for a week at the end of last month. The visit is part of the Japan’s Indo Pacific Deployment 2026 under Japan’s updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The focus of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative is to make countries more resilient and prosperous together based on “freedom,” “openness,” “diversity,” “inclusiveness,” and “the rule of law.”
The five-day joint training demonstrated close multilateral cooperation as a key element of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative, not only for ensuring safe maritime travel and fishing for the RMI people, but also for enhancing the peace and stability in the Pacific region, said the Japan Embassy in a release.
The training team worked closely with Marshall Islands Police Department officers and the Royal Australian Navy advisors. They also coordinated the visit with the Office of the National Security and the US Coast Guard in Guam.
In addition to Sea Patrol, Immigration Office and Majuro Atoll Local Government Maritime Police participated.
Deputy Police Commissioner Harris Kaiko, Chief of Surveillance in the Sea Patrol Division, said the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s support helps the RMI protect its sovereignty, its people, and its ocean for future generations.
The training wrapped up last Friday with a closing reception co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan and the Royal Australian Navy. The reception was attended by Justice Minister Wisely Zackhras, Office of National Security Director Chris deBrum, Japan Ambassador Hirohisa Soma and Australian Ambassador Paul Wilson along with the joint training participants.