JS OSUMI conducted a Japan-U.S.-Philippine Trilateral Exercise.

On 13 September, JS OSUMI conducted a Japan-U.S.-Philippine trilateral exercise as a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) with USS JOHN FINN and US Navy P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, and BRP JOSE RIZAR, FA-50 fighter jet and C-208B patrol aircraft, Armed Forces of the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Through the exercise conducted in the South China Sea, one of our important sea lines of communication, JS OSUMI improved its tactical capabilities and strengthened cooperation with the participating countries. Upholding the right of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as respecting the maritime rights under the international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the maritime cooperative activity not only contributed to the security of the region, but also demonstrated a commonsense of value and our strong will to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

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.

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