Japan has responded to the announcement that China and Russia will conduct a joint naval exercise in the waters off the disputed Diaoyutai islands (known as Senkaku to Japan and Diaoyu in China), by stating that it will hold its own exercise in the region, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK on May 1.
The exercise will be held next month in the waters off Kagoshima prefecture at the southwest tip of Kyushu, the broadcaster said.
Tokyo's announcement follows reports that the People's Liberation Army Navy and Russian Navy will deploy a total of 20 vessels to take part in the joint naval exercise in the East China Sea later this month. Reuters reported that the joint drill poses a serious challenge to the US and Japan as China aims to show its strengthening military ties with Russia.
Read the full story at Want China Times
NOTE: The “China, Russia Military Ties Deepen With Naval Drill in East China Sea” Link in the above was added by PacificSentinel for clarity & context.