Japan, the United States, and the Philippines carried out a major coast guard drills together on Friday. The drill took place in the waters off Kagoshima, a southern part of Japan. This event comes at a time when worries are growing about China’s increasing actions in the Pacific Ocean.
Joint drills Amid Rising Maritime Friction
About 350 people from the three nations took part in the training. The main focus of the drill was to deal with a situation where two ships crash at sea. The teams also practiced how to respond to a fire on board and rescue crew members who might fall into the ocean.
These exercises are not new but are becoming more frequent. The first joint drills among these three countries happened in 2023 in the Philippines. This latest event was planned after leaders from Japan, the US, and the Philippines agreed to work more closely on maritime security. They said their goal was to keep the Indo-Pacific region “free and open.” That means they want all countries to be able to use the sea and air without fear or conflict.
Admiral Yoshio Seguchi, who leads Japan’s coast guard, said on Wednesday that these joint drills help build trust among the nations. They also make it easier to understand how each country’s coast guard works. This is important when real emergencies happen and fast teamwork is needed.
Philippines Expands Defence Network with New Zealand in the Wake of Growing South China Sea Threats
China’s Actions Trigger Concern
China’s growing presence in the Pacific Ocean has been making many countries nervous. In June, for the first time ever, two Chinese aircraft carriers were seen working together in the Pacific. Aircraft carriers are very large naval ships that can launch fighter jets. This movement is seen by many as a strong message about China’s military power.
During that same time, Japan said that a Chinese fighter jet came too close to a Japanese surveillance plane. Japan called the move dangerous. China, on the other hand, blamed Japan for the incident. This kind of disagreement shows how tense things are becoming in the skies and waters of the region.
China is also very active in the East China Sea. There are small islands in this sea that both Japan and China claim. These disputed islands often see Chinese coast guard ships, navy vessels, and airplanes nearby. Japan regularly reports these sightings and says they pose a threat to its security.
In recent times, China has sent some of its military aircraft as far as Guam. Guam is a small island but a very important one because it holds American military bases. While China says it has the right to move its ships and planes, countries like Japan and the US worry that these moves could lead to accidents or even conflict.
South China Sea Adds to the Tension
The South China Sea is another area full of disputes. China claims nearly the entire sea as its own, but several other countries, including the Philippines, also claim parts of it. Over the years, there have been many run-ins between Chinese ships and Philippine coast guard vessels.
U.S. Missile Lands Near China’s Doorstep—Luzon Strait Near Philippines Becomes Pacific Power Pivot
China has been building artificial islands in this sea and putting military buildings on them. This has upset other countries, who see it as a way for China to control the sea and limit freedom of movement for others.
Because of these issues, the Philippines has become more active in working with other countries like the US and Japan. They want to make sure that the rules of the sea are respected by everyone.
The recent coast guard exercise in Japan is part of this larger effort to respond to China’s moves. By training together, Japan, the US, and the Philippines are sending a clear message that they are prepared to work as a team when needed.
These drills do not involve weapons or war games. They are peaceful but serious, showing how the countries are getting ready to help each other if something goes wrong in the ocean.
Japan, the US, and the Philippines continue to say that they are not trying to create conflict. Their main goal is to make sure that sea lanes remain safe and open for all. But with rising tensions and frequent incidents involving China, these joint exercises have taken on a new level of importance.