Japan Joins South China Sea Combat Drills With US and Philippines in Post-War Pivot

Japan’s decision to send combat troops to the Philippines for the first time since World War II and participate in a ship-sinking drill in the South China Sea this week underscores Tokyo’s rising willingness to project military power on China’s doorstep.

Along with US, Australian and Philippine forces, the Japanese military fired missiles in a practice sinking of an enemy ship off the northern Philippines’ Ilocos Norte on Wednesday.