Japanese submarine to visit Philippines for first time in 15 years – sources

(THE STRAITS TIMES) A Japanese submarine will visit the Philippines for the first time in 15 years, along with two warships that will then sail on to Vietnam.

The Japanese submarine, which is used for training, and the destroyers will arrive in the Philippines in April.

"It sends a message. It is important for Japan to show its presence," the person with knowledge of the plan said on Monday (March 7). He asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

A Japanese Ministry of Defence spokesman declined to comment on any submarine visit but said the navy normally conducted training voyages in March and April.

"But we are still in the planning stage so are unable to provide details," he said.

The visits were first reported by Japanese media, including the Sankei newspaper, on Sunday.

The Philippine military had not received any official notification of a visit by a Japanese submarine, a military spokesman said, though a visit to the Subic Bay naval base was expected. "Informally, we know a Japanese submarine is visiting Subic in April," said the Philippine spokesman, Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla.

Japanese Minister To Visit

Japan's Minister of Defence Gen Nakatani is due to travel to the Philippines in April to discuss cooperation.

Japan has already offered to supply the Philippines with aircraft that will help bolster patrols over the disputed sea. Japan wants to give the Philippines a handful of Beechcraft TC-90 King Air training planes that could be fitted with basic surface and air surveillance radar.

The Philippines has also asked the United States to hold joint naval patrols.

Japan and Vietnam agreed in November to hold their first joint naval exercise.