The Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces have decided that Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft returning home from anti-piracy activities off the coast of Somalia will give priority to stopping along the way at bases of countries facing the South China Sea, including the Philippines and Vietnam, according to sources.

The P-3C has advanced monitoring capabilities, and the decision is expected to increase the area of the South China Sea, which China claims as its territory, that they fly over. It could also be said the move will contribute to the protection of freedom of overflight and allow Japan to support in its own way U.S. patrols around artificial islands being built by China.

P-3C aircraft belonging to the Maritime Self-Defense Forces participate in multinational efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. They travel back and forth between Japan and Africa about every three months.

Previously, the aircraft refueled at bases relatively far from the South China Sea, in countries including Singapore and Thailand. But now outward journeys will remain the same, but return trips will give priority to refueling at bases around the South China Sea, such as those in Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

The aircraft will also be part of defense-related exchanges in the places visited.

Arrangements are being made for a February stop in Cam Ranh, where there is a Vietnamese naval base, and to participate in goodwill exercises there. During Defense Minister Gen Nakatani’s visit to Vietnam in November, an agreement was reached to have SDF ships visit Cam Ranh and to promote defense-related exchanges.

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