[Kyodo News, October 3]The Canadian Coast Guard disclosed to the media the icebreaker docked at the Port of Yokohama, Japan on the 2nd. This is the first time a Canadian Guard vessel has called at a port in the Indo-Pacific region. To protect aquatic resources, monitor “illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fisheries” on the high seas. Canadian Ambassador to Japan MacKay said regarding the IUU fishery that he would strengthen cooperation with Japan and other countries in terms of “sharing information and expertise.”

The icebreaker’s port call is part of Canada’s strategy to deepen its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. MacKay said that “the international order based on the rule of law is under threat” and emphasized that Japan and Canada should cooperate to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The icebreaker Sir Wilfrid Laurier departed from Western Canada in early September and docked at Yokohama Port from September 30 to October 3. The person in charge of the Canadian government revealed that illegal shark fin fishing and marine pollution were discovered on the route to Yokohama. The ship will return to Canada in late October.

This year, Canada also carried out trilateral joint aerial surveillance operations with Japan and South Korea. (over)