SAPPHIRE26 Capacity Building Support for Republic of the Marshall Islands Coast Guard （Overview）
The Japan Coast Guard has been providing capacity-building support to the Sea Patrol of the RMI since FY 2023, through the framework of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, focusing on the fields of search and rescue and international law, etc.
On this occasion, cooperation with the USCG Mobile Training Team (USCG MTT), as well as the participation of personnel from the Palau coast guard as observers, provided an opportunity for multilateral cooperation.
During this dispatch, in addition to lecture on maritime international law, MCT conducted basic capacity-building activities in the field of search and rescue, including ropework training and AED use training. As advanced training activ
ities, workshop on international maritime law was held, as well as the scenario-based maritime search and rescue training conducted at sea which was observed by the Australian government officials.
In addition to the above, at the training by USCG MTT, the MCT delivered a lecture on arresting techniques to the RMI Sea Patrol as part of a joint capacity-building support with USCG. This assistance was provided as part of the joint initiative "SAPPHIRE" between the JCG and the USCG in conjunction with the support program of the USCG.
Furthermore, courtesy calls were made to senior officials of the RMI government, the US embassy in the RMI and the Japanese Ambassador to RMI. Through the courtesy calls, MCT explained overview of JCG and MCT activities.
In addition, Japan, Australia and the RMI held a joint tripartite meeting to exchange views on capacity building support with a view to future coordination and collaboration.
The JCG will continue to strengthen cooperation and collaboration with the coast guard agencies of other countries to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, while also supporting capacity building for countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
US-Japan joint engagements are referred to as SAPPHIRE*, and those to be implemented in 2026 are described as SAPPHIRE26.
*SAPPHIRE: Solid Alliance for Peace and Prosperity with Humanity and Integrity on the Rule of law-based Engagement
SAPPHIRE26 Capacity Building Support for Republic of the Marshall Islands Coast Guard (PDF:160KB)
On this occasion, cooperation with the USCG Mobile Training Team (USCG MTT), as well as the participation of personnel from the Palau coast guard as observers, provided an opportunity for multilateral cooperation.
During this dispatch, in addition to lecture on maritime international law, MCT conducted basic capacity-building activities in the field of search and rescue, including ropework training and AED use training. As advanced training activ
ities, workshop on international maritime law was held, as well as the scenario-based maritime search and rescue training conducted at sea which was observed by the Australian government officials.
In addition to the above, at the training by USCG MTT, the MCT delivered a lecture on arresting techniques to the RMI Sea Patrol as part of a joint capacity-building support with USCG. This assistance was provided as part of the joint initiative "SAPPHIRE" between the JCG and the USCG in conjunction with the support program of the USCG.
Furthermore, courtesy calls were made to senior officials of the RMI government, the US embassy in the RMI and the Japanese Ambassador to RMI. Through the courtesy calls, MCT explained overview of JCG and MCT activities.
In addition, Japan, Australia and the RMI held a joint tripartite meeting to exchange views on capacity building support with a view to future coordination and collaboration.
The JCG will continue to strengthen cooperation and collaboration with the coast guard agencies of other countries to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, while also supporting capacity building for countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
US-Japan joint engagements are referred to as SAPPHIRE*, and those to be implemented in 2026 are described as SAPPHIRE26.
*SAPPHIRE: Solid Alliance for Peace and Prosperity with Humanity and Integrity on the Rule of law-based Engagement
SAPPHIRE26 Capacity Building Support for Republic of the Marshall Islands Coast Guard (PDF:160KB)