Japan is not joining the United States’ “freedom of navigation” operations in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea but supports the superpower’s endeavor to achieve peace and security in the region, Japanese Deputy Press Secretary Koichi Mizushima said yesterday. “No, I don’t think so,” Mizushima said in a press briefing when asked if his country would join the US in naval or air operations in disputed waters. “The US is conducting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. We have no plan to join the operation although we support the US activities because we believe that the US is taking a leading role in order to achieve peace and security in the region,” he added.

Lee-Brago, P. (2015, November 18). Japan not joining US patrols in disputed seas. The Philippine Star, p. 10.