Japanese government sources have told the Asahi Shimbun that Japan and France will conduct joint naval exercises in February in a “show of strength” against China’s activities in the South China Sea.
Asahi says an agreement on the maneuvers is expected to be made at a “two plus two” meeting of the Japanese and French foreign and defense ministers on January 26 in Tokyo. The two countries are said to be bolstering their security cooperation in the Pacific region due to China’s expanding naval presence and its policy toward the South China Sea.
The exercise between Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the French Navy would involve the French frigate Vendemiaire, which is charged with patrolling France’s overseas territories, the sources said. But there’s no indication on where the exercise will be held.
The sources stressed that France views itself as a “Pacific nation,” given that it controls territories in the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
Japan reportedly wants to secure France’s support for its diplomatic strategy that seeks to maintain a “free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The sources said the two nations are expected to issue a joint statement at the January 26 meeting that emphasizes the importance of freedom of navigation and other issues.
Other military cooperation eyed
Japanese and French officials are also seeking a broad agreement on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement for the exchange of supplies such as ammunition between the Japan’s Self-Defense Force and the French military.
They are further expected to confirm plans to begin joint research on mine detection technology.
Cooperation with France is the latest move by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government to nurture new military ties and alliances as the balance of global power shifts.
Japan and Britain agreed in December to conduct joint naval maneuvers in the Pacific this year as part of a military cooperation pact. The pact also includes jointly developing a new air-to-air missile for the US F-35 stealth fighter used by both countries.
More bullshit!
Oh, think they can vote, oh wait they can’t. Your a meathead
A coalition between a country thousands of miles away who claims an interest in the region by reason of having colonised a few tiny islands in the Pacific Ocean and a hypocrtical country having a tainted murderous history and having slaughtered millions of innocent Asians and probably harbours the dream of continuing their quest to bring the whole of Asia under their rule. Though I do sympathize with the large section of peace loving Japanese whose reputation remains blighted by the minority militaristic group of people currently governing Japan.
As calculated during rising tension between China and USA militaries n SCS in past year, fleets of all east Asian countries were outnumbered by Chinese navy. So no country in the region agreed to join the US initiative to organise a joint naval force led by Japan to confront Chinese navy. American fleets are still the biggest , but throughout the tension, it had only been playing a posture, but never show serious will to a real fight. Though the American destroyer returned to SCS after a long while, China won’t take it seriously, the best would find excuse to militarise more islands and ship more heavy weapons there. The vicious cycle for future challengers like UK, France, Aus, India,… Just power game, to play cards with other powers.
Japanese are brainwashed worse than Americans by their ultra right main stream media. Not sure how you got the idea that they are peace lovers.
@Robert… "Voting" is like a "Disclaimer" in a commercial product: "It’s your choice, no return, no complaint".
The real question is whether capable candidates made it through the rotten political systems to be presented to the voters. The answer is a clear No.
Japanese aggression knows no bounce as can be proven by the unrepentant attitude of japan since WW2 for her atrocities against Asian people.
war criminal japee, still thing its a white, in truth they are being view as banana. and the only thing japanese of interest to any whiteman to rent their wive for FUNs
God blessing the France warships could make to the South China Sea if war breaks out.
Its a good thing thats happening – don’t listen to the negative crap!
It’s about time somebody stand up against Chinese expansionism.
"a hypocrtical country having a tainted murderous history and having slaughtered millions of innocent Asians"
I presume you are speaking of China, right?
Type the words "Sinocentric Theory," or "Tributary System" into a search engine and see who the Imperialist in Asia is. Or talk to a Tibetan, an Uighur, or any of the legions upon legions who fled from China’s barbarism this century, and see who the murderer in Asia is.
Japan’s Imperialistic ventures lasted about 20 years. China’s lasted for 5 Dynasties.
Talk to the world about "atrocities" and "repentance" when China debases itself before the nations who suffered the humiliation of having to Kowtow to the "emperor of Tianxia" for centuries, and after the CCP has done something to atone for the 62 million you killed between ’49 and ’89 in the Culture Rev, the GLF, the "liberation" of Tibet, and the Tiananmen Crackdown. The CCP does not even acknowledge that they killed any of these, let alone atone for it.
Japan was an aggressor in Asia for about 20 years.
The Zhonghua barbarians have been oppressors in this region since Qin Shihuang first committed the unforgivable sin of creating your sick and twisted nation.