Kochi, Oct 22 : Two Japanese Maritime Self - Defence Force Ships JDS (Japanese Defence Ship) Uraga- a minelayer and JDS Hachijyo -a mine hunter, departed Kochi after a two day stop over at Kochi.

The ships which entered Kochi on October 20 returned after participating in a major minesweeping exercise off the coast of Bahrain in which 33 nations had participated. Captain Yasuhiro Kawakami embarked on board as the Senior Officer. Captain Kawakami accompanied by the Japanese Defence Attache Colonel Nobutaka Mikasa and the Commanding Officers of the visiting ships called on Rear Admiral G Ashok Kumar, Chief of Staff of Southern Naval Command earlier today. The ships will participate in some basic maneuvers off Kochi with INS Sharda and INS Kalpeni later today, a defence release said here today.

- Agencies