ICG, Japan Coast Guard conclude joint exercise ‘JA-MATA’ off Chennai coast

Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Training Ship Itsukushima concluded its week-long port call to Chennai as part of its Global Ocean Voyage Training on Saturday.

According to the Indian Coast Guard, the visit culminated on July 12 with a joint sea exercise named JA-MATA (Japanese for “we will meet again”) conducted off the coast of Chennai. The exercise included coordinated manoeuvres such as boarding operations, station keeping, and firefighting drills—symbolising operational synergy and preparedness.

ICG said that the ship, carrying over 50 trainee officers, undertook this visit to gain exposure to international maritime operations and enhance cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and JCG.

During the five-day visit, the trainee officers and crew were hosted at various ICG facilities in Chennai, offering them valuable insights into the multifaceted operations of ICG. The interaction helped in professional exchange and mutual learning across all levels of personnel, said ICG.

Vice Admiral Kanosue Hiroaki, Vice Commandant (Operations), Japan Coast Guard, led the delegation and participated in a range of professional and cultural engagements, including reciprocal visits and official calls. On July 7, the delegation called on Paramesh Sivamani, Director General, Indian Coast Guard, further cementing the long-standing ties between the two maritime forces, it said.

These engagements are in alignment with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between India and Japan in 2006 and are part of ongoing capacity-building initiatives that underscore both nations’ commitment to ensuring safety and security in the maritime domain.