WASHINGTON — Japan's defense minister says its forces will increase engagement in the South China Sea through training cruises with the U.S. Navy and multilateral exercises with regional navies.
Newly appointed Defense Minister Tomomi Inada says Japan will also help build the capacity of coastal nations. She was speaking ahead her first meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter Thursday in Washington.
Japan, a close U.S. ally, is not among the countries claiming territory in the disputed South China Sea but shares U.S. concern about China's assertive behavior there.
Japan has a separate territorial dispute with China over unoccupied islands they both claim farther north in the East China Sea.
Inada says she is open to constructive dialogue with China on preventing collisions between their forces at sea and in the air.
U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), the Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331), Republic of Korea Navy ships ROKS Kang Gam Chan (DDH 979) and ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Hyuga (DDH 181), and the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Warramunga (FFH 252) steam in formation on Aug. 9, 2016, as part of a multilateral exercise in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands. Multilateral exercises strengthen our alliances and enhance stability and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific. U.S. and partner nations regularly participate in exercises together, the most recent being RIMPAC 2016.
Photo Credit: PO2 Andrew Murray
