Japan's Hamagiri Destroyer Arrives in Vladivostok for SAREX Drills

SAREX-2017 exercises between Russia and Japan are being held for the 17th time to develop cooperation between the fleets and increase the level of joint counteraction to threats to security at sea.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – According to the press office of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Japan's Hamagiri destroyer arrived on Monday in the Russian port city of Vladivostok to take part “in the naval search and rescue exercises SAREX-2017.”

The SAREX drills are slated to take place November 25 in the Peter the Great Gulf.

MIL.RU: Arrived in Vladivostok destroyer Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force "Hamagiri" https://t.co/4cjawQB0oB

— Russian Exercises (@RUSexercises) 20 ноября 2017 г.

According to the statement, a number of meetings concerning the details of the drills will be carried out while the vessel is docked.

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During the stay of a foreign ship in the Russian port, a number of general events are planned, including joint football and basketball matches.

Earlier, from October 14 to 18, Vladivostok was visited by a detachment of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships including the destroyer Harusame and the training ship Kasima.