On Sunday, Japan will conduct a global fleet review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its Maritime Self-Defense Force.
For the first time since 2015, South Korea will take part in Japan’s fleet review.
In addition to the host nation, Japan, 14 other nations will participate in the event in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture.
18 ships from twelve nations will participate in the event. Last Tuesday, South Korea sent the 10,000-ton logistical support ship Soyang to the port of Yokosuka.
A royal family or their representative will collect their naval ships for an international fleet review.
The Western Pacific Naval Symposium is scheduled to take place in Yokohama on Monday and Tuesday after the review, which will be followed by a global search and rescue exercise on Sunday and Monday.
Amid the tense relations and opposition from the public to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s usage of the Rising Sun Flag, formerly flown by the Japanese Imperial Army, South Korea has avoided Japanese fleet reviews.
