Inside the Japanese warship JS Ise: A floating fortress

A massive warship sat calmly at the dock of Pier 15 in Port Area, Manila on Saturday, June 21. She had just arrived after a seven-day journey from Japan, and was on a three-day port visit to Manila.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

Japanese ship (JS) Ise (DDH-182), a Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer, is recognized as one of the most advanced and versatile warships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) fleet. Docked nearby on the opposite side of the pier was her companion ship, JS Suzunami (DD-114), another destroyer belonging to the Takanami class.

The Manila Bulletin, along with select members of the media, was given the opportunity to tour the massive JS Ise — a warship equipped with state-of-the-art technology and powerful weaponry, earning her the reputation of a floating fortress that reflects Japan’s expanding maritime influence.

JS Ise is named after Ise Province, a historical region in Japan. According to Japan’s National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Ise Province is regarded as the “home of the deity likened to the sun and the Shinto faith's dynamic heart.”

Shinto is a Japanese indigenous religion and Ise-Jingu (Ise Shrine) is composed of 125 shrines including Naiku, a main sanctuary and the most sacred site where Amaterasu Omikami, the deity likened to the sun, is enshrined.