After her participation in the major exercise Annualex 2025, the surveillance frigate made a port call in Sasebo, in southwestern Japan, from October 25 to 29, 2025.
This major annual exercise, jointly organized by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US Navy , welcomed a French vessel for the first time.
Just before this stopover, the frigate joined the Enforcement Coordination Cell (ECC) mission, aimed at monitoring the proper implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea .
During the stopover, the unit hosted local military authorities for a reception on board, allowing, after multiple military interactions, informal exchanges while showcasing French gastronomy.
In addition to interactions with partner navies, the frigate also hosted students from Nagasaki University for a tour of the ship, as well as members of the Red Wings association. A delegation then traveled to Fukuoka to commemorate the achievement of French aviator André Japy, who attempted to fly from Paris to Tokyo in 1936. This project was never completed, as the pilot crashed in the mountains near Sasebo, where he was rescued by local residents. Following this visit, the sailors were received at the French Institute in Fukuoka, where they had the opportunity to speak with local people about the frigate’s mission in Asia and the Pacific. Upon departure, the frigate’s helicopter conducted a tribute flight to André Japy over the crash site.
This stopover in Sasebo is part of a dynamic of strengthening the partnership between France and Japan. It has not only allowed for the consolidation of joint operational capabilities and improved interoperability in the face of security challenges in the Indo-Pacific , but also demonstrated that Franco-Japanese relations extend beyond a strictly military partnership.