Four Japan warships visit Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Four Japanese warships anchored at the Tanjung Priok harbor yesterday for a four-day courtesy call.

The four destroyers, each carrying a helicopter, were welcomed by Col. V. Napitupulu, operation assistant to the second Navy main base.

The four warships are JDS Haruna-141, JDS Asayuki-132, JDS Shimayuti-133 and DJS Setoyuki-131, all embarked from their bases in Okinawa.

A small crowd of Japanese residents in Jakarta welcomed the armada, waving flags at the slowly approaching ships before they began a traditional ceremony.

The ships are carrying 1,000 crew members, Antara said. (pan)