TOKYO (Sputnik) — According to the Kyodo news agency, the purpose of the drills is to contain China's influence, which has recently been increasing its military presence in the South China Sea in the vicinity of the disputed Xisha Islands, or Paracel Islands, and Nansha, or the Spratly Islands.
The Paracel Islands are controlled by China while being claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. The Spratly Islands are contested by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Last year, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh agreed during the talks in Hanoi that a JMSDF vessel will make a port call at Cam Ranh Bay, as well as agreed to conduct joint defense drills. Nakatani then personally visited the Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base, and expressed interest in using the facility by the Japanese ships.
In February, a JMSDF team conducted joint exercises with the Vietnamese Navy for three days in the Southeast Asian country and nearby waters.
