Onodera backs U.S. military activities in South China Sea

January 21, 2018

Kumamoto- Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Sunday that the country "supports the U.S. military's activities in the South China Sea."

He made the remark to reporters at the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's camp in the city of Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, after a U.S. Aegis destroyer recently sailed within 12 nautical miles off Scarborough Shoal in the sea, which has been disputed between China and the Philippines.

"We believe that international collaboration is important for protecting an open and free sea," Onodera said, stressing Japan's intention to work closely with the United States.

Scarborough Shoal has been under the effective control of China since 2012.

On Saturday, China's Foreign Ministry showed strong displeasure over the U.S.Aegis destroyer's entry into the 12-mile zone around Scarborough Shoal.

A U.S. military official confirmed the ship's activity, saying that the military has carried out a freedom of navigation operation. It is believed to be the first time that such an operation has been conducted around Scarborough Shoal. Jiji Press