
TOKYO: Japan and Djibouti signed and exchanged notes for 1.1 billion yen ($7 million) in Official Security Assistance (OSA) on Wednesday for a project to enhance maritime surveillance and security, Japan’s Foreign Ministry reported.
The signing took place in Djibouti and was carried out by OSHIMA Hiroyuki, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to the Republic of Djibouti, and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and International Cooperation.
Djibouti is seen as important for assisting in providing maritime security and is the location of the only overseas base for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, which conducts counter-piracy operations in the region.
By providing coastal radar systems and related infrastructure to the Djiboutian Navy, the project is expected to enhance Djibouti’s monitoring and surveillance capabilities, as well as maritime domain awareness capabilities. This is expected to contribute to the stabilization of critical sea lanes and the maintenance and enhancement of maritime security for the whole region.
The Foreign Ministry says Japan intends to contribute to the maintenance and strengthening of maritime security in the region by boosting bilateral security cooperation with Djibouti.