Three Japanese warships have arrived in Portsmouth for a four-day visit to help forge closer links with the Royal Navy. The ships belong to the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Training Squadron and are visiting as part of a five-month global deployment. The squadron comprises training ship JDS Kashima and two destroyers – JDS Shirayuki and JDS Isoyuki – and includes 180 cadets. After anchoring in The Solent overnight yesterday (Sunday) the vessels arrived in the Naval Base today, with JDS Kashima firing a 21-gun salute as she approached Southsea. The saluting gun at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport responded in similar fashion.