International Fleet Review. 13th October 2002.
The Japan Maritime Self‑defence Force hosts the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) and International Fleet review (IFR) as part of the 50th anniversary commemoration event in Tokyo Bay.
The purposes of the IFR are, firstly, to show the dignified appearance of the Japan Maritime Self‑defence Force domestically and internationally, as well as enhancing peoples' understanding of the JMSDF resulting in getting their trust and co‑operation in Japan's defence policy and secondly to aim at strengthening relationships of mutual trust through the exchange events with a lot of foreign navies.
SHIRANE was part of the reviewing unit of 14 ships, and CHOKAI was part of the parading unit of 29 Japanese and 17 foreign vessels (None from the UK). This stamp (issued 1st Oct. 2002) depicts two destroyers, No. 143 DDH SHIRANE and No. 176 DDG CHOKAI.
CHOKAI
Keel laid 29 May 1995, Launched 27 Aug 1996, Commissioned 20 March 1998.
Built by Tokyo No. 2 Works of Ishikawajima‑Harima Heavy‑Industries, Ltd.(IHI), Tokyo, Japan.
Displacement 7250 tons.
Engine 4 gas turbines, 2 shafts 100,000PS Speed 30 knots
Complement 300.
Armament:
20mm Gatling gun
AEGIS VLS
SSM
127mm154 rapid fire gun
Electric Countermeasure
System/radar obstruction
ASW Processing System
Through Deck
Topedo launching system
(triple).
Information Kyo Miyake Log Book May 2003
Japan SG3070