Japan has fired a missile in a joint exercise with the US and allies north of the Philippines, facing the South China Sea.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) fired a Type 88 anti-ship missile during a joint naval exercise with US, Australian and Philippine forces on Wednesday, hitting a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship in waters off the South China Sea, Reuters reports.
The exercise took place at a time when Manila and Tokyo are holding talks on a possible transfer of protective equipment, enabled by Japan's decision to lift restrictions on military exports.
Discussions include the possibility of early transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Koizumi watched the missile launch on the ground, while Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. watched the exercise from military headquarters in Manila via live broadcast, the president's office said.
"The activity demonstrated coordinated naval assault operations among allied forces and highlighted the AFP's growing ability to operate alongside international partners in promoting regional security and freedom of navigation," the statement said.
The Philippine military said two Type 88 missile salvos were fired, hitting the BRP Quezon ship within six minutes of launch. The strike occurred about 75 km off the coast of Paoay in the northern Philippines, an area facing the South China Sea.
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