Japan for training patrols with US in S. China Sea

Japan's new Defence Minister Tomomi Inada delivers a speech at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo, Aug 4, 2016. (KAZUHIRO N OGI / AFP)

WASHINGTON - Japan will step up its activity in the South China Sea through joint training patrols with the United States and bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional navies, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said on Thursday.

Inada said in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, that Japan's increased engagement in the area, would include capacity building for coastal nations.

"Japan, for its part, will increase its engagement in the South China Sea through, for example, Maritime Self-Defense Force joint training cruises with the US Navy and bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional navies," she said.

Japan would also help build the capacity of coastal states in the South China Sea, said Inada, before heading for talks with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter at the Pentagon.

Japan said this month it was ready to provide Vietnam with new patrol ships. It also agreed to provide two large patrol ships and lend up to five used surveillance aircraft to the Philippines.

In response to Inada's comments, the US Navy said in a statement: "The United States welcomes Japan's interest in expanding its maritime activities in the South China Sea. We continue to explore ways to enhance US-Japan cooperative efforts to contribute to the security and stability of the region."