The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) participated in the multilateral Samasama 2023 from October 2 to 13 hosted by the United States Navy and the Philippine Navy to strengthen cooperation and to realize a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' with like-minded countries. The JMSDF deployed JS Akebono to join counterpart units from the navies of the US, Philippines, Canada, and the UK.