Italian Navy flagship, the aircraft carrier Cavour, has made its first-ever port call in Japan, reflecting the European country's desire to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region amid China's maritime assertiveness.The Cavour arrived at a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, on Thursday. It is planning a joint exercise with the MSDF.During a welcome ceremony, Rear Adm. Toshihiko Sawada, who leads the MSDF's Escort Flotilla 1, said he feels honored to interact with the Italian Navy with its long history and traditions, while Rear Adm. Giancarlo Cia…READ FULL ARTICLE
