Japan on Wednesday denied earlier claims it was holding negotiations with the Philippines on launching joint maritime patrols, along with the United States and Australia, in the South China Sea, including in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea. "As of now, there is no specific plan or discussion about the alleged joint patrols among Japan, the Philippines, the United States, and Australia," the Japanese Embassy in Manila told Daily Tribune.

Garner, J. (2023, March 2). Japan: No joint maritime patrols. Daily Tribune, pp. A1, A6.