During 30 March-1 April 2023, the Indo-Pacific and Middle East Deployment 2023 unit (IMED23 : JS URAGA and JS AWAJI) made a port call at Male, Republic of Maldives.

During the port call, the Commander of Minesweeper Division 1 CAPT NAKAI Eiichi and each commanding officer visited the Japanese Ambassador to Maldives, TAKEUCHI Midori, the Chief of Maldives Defense Force, Major General Abdulla Shamaal, and the Commander of MNDF Coast Guard, Colonel Ibrahim Hilmy. The unit also conducted Japan-Maldives goodwill exercise (diving training), mutual ship tours, and sports exchange to deepen mutual understanding and friendship with Maldives Forces.

The Self-Defense Fleet maintains maximum readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan, but also to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.