The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) dispatched four members of its Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT), a special team that provides foreign coast guard agencies with technical support on maritime safety and security, to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from June 12 (Sun) to 25 (Sat), 2022, under the framework of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This is the first US-Japan joint effort for a foreign coast guard since the signing of the annex of the memorandum of cooperation between the JCG and USCG on May 18, 2022.

This time, the JCG MCT provided technical guidance in towing techniques deploying the two 97-meter patrol vessels provided by Japan to enhance the rescue capabilities of the PCG.

Experts from the USCG also participated in this exercise and provided technical support on emergency situations.

The MCT also participated in the small boat operation instructor program that the USCG provided for the PCG, and in this way the US and Japan cooperated with each other to support PCG.

The JCG and the USCG, as maritime law enforcement agencies, have been maintaining a close relationship since the JCG's establishment in 1948, and since signing the 2010 Memorandum of Cooperation, we have been further strengthening collaboration and coordination. We have been conducting technical support to the coast guard agencies in the Indo-Pacific region in addition to being on duty for maritime safety and security, etc.

The JCG will continue to commit to international cooperation with coast guard agencies in the Indo-Pacific region to realize the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) based on the rule of law to make a better and more peaceful world.

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SAPPHIRE: Solid Alliance for Peace and Prosperity with Humanity and Integrity on the Rule of law based Engagement