Japan Considering Sending Air Patrols To The South China Sea

Reuters: Exclusive: Japan considering joint U.S. air patrols in South China Sea - sources

(Reuters) - Japan's military is considering joining the United States in maritime air patrols in the South China Sea in response to China's increasingly assertive pursuit of territorial claims, a Japanese and a U.S. source familiar with the discussions said.

News of the deliberations came as Japan and the United States unveiled new defence guidelines during a visit to Washington by Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe, reflecting his plans for Japan to take on a wider security role beyond the direct defence of its home islands.

While no concrete plans had yet been formulated, Japan could join U.S. patrols in the South China Sea, or operate patrols in rotation from the Japanese island of Okinawa on the edge of the East China Sea, the Japanese source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

WNU Editor: This is a major expansion of Japanese maritime air patrols .... and one that will raise eyebrows in Beijing and in every South-east Asian country.

Update: The Chinese have issued a warning .... China Tells US, Japan to Refrain From Sabotage on Disputed Islands (Sputnik)