Japan is looking to increase its presence in the South China Sea. The country has announced that it would be joining the US training patrol in the contested region. Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said that Japan would conduct similar exercises with regional navies as well.

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Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Inada said that Japan would extend military aid to countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines. She applauded the US' decision to allocate 60 percent of its Air Force and Navy assets to the Asia Pacific region by 2020. Inada said that Japan "strongly support[s] the US Navy's Freedom of Navigation operations."

According to Reuters, the Japanese Defense Minister carried out talks with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The US Navy replied to Inada's comment by stating that the US appreciates Japan's efforts to increase its maritime activities in the South China Sea.

Japan is currently engaged in a dispute with China over territories in the East China Sea. CNN reported that Inada also mentioned that China's activities in the region raise "serious concern in the Asia-Pacific and beyond."

In the recent months, there has been a significant increase in US activities in the region. The US Navy deployed a guided missile destroyer in May 2016. The destroyer sailed within 12 miles of a disputed island in the South China Sea under the control of China.

While Japan is planning a joint exercise with the US, China recently carried out a naval exercise with the Russian navy in the region.

TagsJapan, china, US, US Navy, Tomomi Inada