Japan To Send Patrol Ship To Monitor Chinese Reclamation Projects In The Contested South China Sea

Chinese patrol ship Haixun 01 is pictured during a search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, in the south Indian Ocean April 5, 2014, in this photo courtesy of China News Service. Reuters/CNSphoto

Asai Times/UPI: Japan ready to patrol South China Sea, navy official says

Japan is prepared to dispatch a warship to the South China Sea to monitor Beijing’s land reclamation activities.

Vice Adm. Yasuhiro Shigeoka, commander of Japan’s Self Defense Fleet, said on Tuesday that the Maritime Self-Defense Force is prepared to enter into patrol activities at any time, and “upon command,” the Mainichi Shimbun reported.

The statement comes the same day the United States and Japan said that neither side has plans to launch joint patrols in the South China Sea, even as the two navies conducted a joint training exercise at sea, USA Today reported.

WNU Editor: The Chinese are also going to deploy soldiers on a contested island in the East China Sea .... Japan Plans to Deploy Troops Near Disputed Islands (AP)

More News On Japanese Naval Manoeuvres In The South And East China Seas

Japan Defense Minister Supports US in South China Sea -- AP
Japan and US advance in South China Sea -- IBTimes
US and Japanese navies come together in South China Sea -- USA Today
Japan, U.S. agree to continue drills in disputed sea -- Kyodo News
U.S. and Japan train for 'high-end' warfare on the high seas -- USA Today
Japan joins U.S. in opposing China's South China Sea claims -- UPI