Yoshihiko Noda, the Japanese prime minister, attended the Fleet Review 2012, a naval exercise held by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force to celebrate its 60th anniversary on Oct. 14, reports Hong Kong-based Ming Pao.
To display its maritime strength, 45 ships and 30 aircrafts of the Japan Maritime Defense Force took part in this fleet review held at Sagami Bay off Yokosuka, where its headquarters located. Vessels from the United States, Singapore and Australia, including USS Shiloh, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, also participated in the review as allies of Japan. Currently, there are about 47,000 US troopers stationed in Japan, according to Reuters.
Representatives from 20 nations included China, one of Japan's major competitors in the region were invited to observe the event.
Read the full story at Want China Times