JS SAZANAMI conducted a Japan-Philippine bilateral exercise.

JS SAZANAMI conducted a Japan-Philippine bilateral exercise in the South China Sea with the Philippine Navy BRP JOSE RIZAL as Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA).
The Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) is an effort to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" that upholds rights such as "freedom of navigation" and respects maritime rights under international law.
The Commanding Officer of JS SAZANAMI, CDR BAN Masayuki said, “Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and strengthened cooperation with the Philippine Navy. Japan and Philippines share strong concerns over unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and coercion, and are important partners that support an international order based on the rule of law. Taking advantage of opportunities, JMSDF and the Philippine Navy are working together. I believe that the coordinated actions of the naval forces of Japan and the Philippines in the South China Sea, one of Japan's important sea lanes, demonstrated our strong shared commitment to realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." We will continue working hard to respond to any contingency at any time.”
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.