TOKYO – A Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF)
submarine will visit the Philippines for the first time in 15 years, while two
accompanying warships will visit Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay for the first time
ever, Japan’s Navy said.

The announcement came days after China accused its Asian
rival of interfering in the South China Sea.

Japan, which occupied the Philippines and Vietnam during
World War II, is now strengthening relations. All three countries share growing
concerns about China’s increasing military presence amid a series of maritime
disputes.

In a press release, the MSDF said the submarine Oyashio,
which is used for training, and the destroyers, the Ariake and Setogiri, will
visit Subic Bay in the Philippines for annual open sea drills. The escort
vessels will later visit Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam.

The exercise, joined by some 500 personnel including
officer candidates, is scheduled from Saturday through April 27.

Tensions in the South China Sea – through which over
$6.5 billion in global trade passes each year – have intensified in recent
months.

China claims almost all the South China Sea. Brunei,
Malaysia, Vietnam and Tawan also claim all or part of the Spratly chain in the
sea, while Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims with China in the Paracels
chain there.

– with Reuters