A Japanese submarine on Sunday made a port call to the Philippines - the first in 15 years - in a show of the growing military cooperation between the two countries. The latest development comes amid growing tension in South China Sea, triggered mainly by China's assertiveness over its claims to the disputed maritime territory.

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Japan has described Sunday's port call to the Philippines as "regular military exercise," with no intention to send any warning to any country.

"This is just an exercise and the main objective is to train the officers," Captain Hiraoki Yoshino of Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force informed reporters. "We don't have any message to any country."

Japan is not a party to the South China Sea dispute. However, Tokyo and Beijing are at loggerheads over the East China Sea region. Japan has been increasing its presence in South China Sea. Tokyo has sent several ships and planes to countries like Vietnam and the Philippines, who have  competing claims in the South China Sea.

There are unconfirmed reports that Japan is leasing three TC-90 surveillance planes to Philippines, a deal that is likely to be sealed late this month. The TC-90 surveillance planes are expected to boost the Philippines monitoring capability in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Philippines and the United States are all set to start a military drill on Monday near South China Sea region, a move that will certainly irk Beijing.

Soaring Tension in South China Sea

Since last year, tensions have been soaring in the South China Sea region. At the heart of this conflict is China's alleged construction activities in several artificial islands of the disputed region.

Tensions have escalated anew after reports surfaced that China deployed missiles and fighter jets to Woody Island earlier this year, with the U.S., Australia and countries cautioning China against militarizing the disputed region.        

China is claiming a large part of the South China Sea region, while Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have competing claims in the region.     

TagsJapan, Philippines, South China Sea, china