08 July 2015

News Story: Japan announces 'gray zone' drills for E China Sea contingency

Japan has announced naval drills to better deal with "gray zone" incidents in response to China's construction of gas field development facilities in the East China Sea.

The Japan Times reported Tuesday that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard will soon hold their first joint drill in waters near Izu Oshima island, about 120 kilometers south of Tokyo.

The drill is intended to help Tokyo better cope with gray zone situations that fall short of a military attack against Japan but are beyond the capabilities of the Coast Guard, which is authorized to use weapons but only in limited cases of legitimate self-defense and emergency evacuation.

Read the full story at Want China Times