The exercises will include a Japanese C-130H cargo aircraft and its personnel which together with Philippine airmen will simulate delivery of relief goods in isolated areas.
“Japan and the Philippines are both natural disaster-prone countries and there are so much we can share on disaster relief operations for saving lives,” Maj. Mizuno Masaki, unit commander of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force, said in a statement.
US allies Japan and the Philippines have both been at odds with China over the conduct of its vessels and aircraft in the East and South China seas.
The announcement comes as other US allies take greater steps to preserve freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, including navy patrols, amid growing Chinese militarization.
Japan and the Philippines signed an agreement to forge closer defense ties in January 2015, and the two countries have since conducted 17 joint naval drills.
Japan has also transferred defense and technology equipment that could help the Philippines boost patrols in the South China Sea.
You may also like
-
Afghanistan: Civilian casualties hit record high amid US withdrawal, UN says
-
How Taiwan is trying to defend against a cyber ‘World War III’
-
Pandemic travel news this week: Quarantine escapes and airplane disguises
-
Why would anyone trust Brexit Britain again?
-
Black fungus: A second crisis is killing survivors of India’s worst Covid wave