The Japan Coast Guard and Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration participated in a joint maritime exercise off the coast of Chiba Prefecture. This exercise, focused on maritime rescues, was the first publicized training of its kind between the two countries. Taiwan’s Hsun Hu No. 9 patrol ship and Japan Coast Guard’s Sagami patrol vessel engaged in search, rescue, and communication drills, following a refueling stop in Tokyo.
The joint exercise comes amidst rising tensions with China’s assertive actions in the region, including intrusions into Japanese waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands and increased patrols near Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands. The memorandum signed in 2017 between Japan and Taiwan allows for cooperation in maritime rescue operations in waters close to both countries.
While Japan maintains that the drills are not targeted at any specific country, China expressed strong opposition to Japan conducting joint exercises with Taiwan. China’s Foreign Ministry urged Japan to adhere to the ‘one-China’ principle and refrain from supporting Taiwan independence efforts.