The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), alongside the Philippine Navy (PN) and the United States Navy (USN), on Friday (March 28) conducted a powerful multilateral exercise in the South China Sea.
The joint operation featured the JMSDF’s JS NOSHIRO (FFM-3), the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), and the US Navy’s USS Shoup (DDG-86), as part of the 8th Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA), according to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
This military exercise comes on the heels of the JMSDF’s inaugural port call at the Naval Operating Base Subic (NOBS), emphasizing Japan’s unwavering commitment to maritime security in the face of mounting aggression in the South China Sea.
By engaging with key allies, Japan has reaffirmed its strategic ties with the Philippines and the United States, signaling a robust partnership dedicated to safeguarding the free and open use of the seas.
The trilateral naval exercise highlights the growing urgency for countries to unite against China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
Together, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States stand firm in advancing their shared vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), reinforcing their dedication to a rules-based international order that fosters peace, security, and prosperity for all nations in the region.
