{"id":2324,"date":"2024-08-06T00:00:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T15:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/?page_id=2324"},"modified":"2024-10-29T11:40:43","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T02:40:43","slug":"vol-3-august-6-2024","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-3-august-6-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Vol.3, August 6, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"l-container\">\n<div class=\"l-post-content\">\n<style>\nbody {\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    margin: 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    background-color: #fafafa;\n}\ntable tr, table th, table td {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n    font-weight: normal;\n}\n.c-table, .l-post-content table, #tinymce.post-type-post table, #tinymce.post-type-page table, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table, #tinymce.post-type-research table, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n}\n.c-table > thead > tr > th, .l-post-content table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-post table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-page table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-research table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > thead > tr > th, .c-table > tbody > tr > th, .l-post-content table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-post table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-page table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-research table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > tbody > tr > th, .c-table > tbody > tr > td, .l-post-content table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-post table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-page table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-research table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > tbody > tr > td {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n}\nhr, .hr {\n    border: none;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid #000;\n    margin-left: 0;\n    margin-right: 0;\n    max-width: none;\n    margin-top: 10px;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n}\ncenter .table-base {\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    height: 100%;\n    margin: 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    background-color: #fafafa;\n}\ncenter .table-inner {\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    border: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 600px;\n}\ncenter img {\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 100%;\n    height: auto;\n}\ncenter ul {\n    display: block;\n}\ncenter li {\n    display: block;\n}\n<\/style>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"max-width:450.0pt;border-collapse:collapse; background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm;background:cover no-repeat rgb(255,255,255)\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width:100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm;min-width:100%\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse;min-width:100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;min-width:100%\">\n<h1 align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:25.2pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:18.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Vol.3, August 6, 2024<\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:18.0pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (<span class=\"il\">RIPS<\/span>) publishes the biweekly <span class=\"il\">newsletter<\/span>,<br \/>\n \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height:22.5pt\">\n<td style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:22.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;\\00ff2d\\00ff33  \\00ff30\\0030b4\\0030b7\\0030c3\\0030af&quot;\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;display:none\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:32.4pt\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Monthly Column<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:18.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:21.0pt\">\n<span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">By<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:15.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:29.7pt\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Saya Kiba<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:16.5pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:22.5pt\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Associate Professor, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:22.5pt\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;display:none\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height:7.5pt\">\n<td style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:7.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\"><b><i><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Emerging minilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: What is it for?<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;\\00ff2d\\00ff33  \\00ff30\\0030b4\\0030b7\\0030c3\\0030af&quot;;display:none\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">As an unintended consequence, the South China Sea is becoming the gateway to demonstrate the effectiveness of Japan&#8217;s new and old security<br \/>\n cooperation measures.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">A free, open, and stable ocean based on the rule-based maritime order is essential to the peace and prosperity of Japan and the international<br \/>\n community as a whole. In order to maintain and develop such an order, Japan has expanded its security and defense cooperation programs to Indo-Pacific countries, especially to the partners in Southeast Asia over the past 12 years, combining existing and new<br \/>\n components of the assistance menu, including 1) Capacity-Building Programs by Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) personnel, 2) defense equipment transfer, 3) Official Development Assistance (ODA), and 4) Official Security Assistance (OSA).<br \/>\n<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Ultimately, the Philippines became one of the first countries to receive a combination of these programs, given its lack of external defense<br \/>\n capabilities and China&#8217;s recent coercive actions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, particularly in the Second Thomas Shoal. Even under the previous administration in the Philippines of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been critical of relying<br \/>\n on the U.S.-Philippine alliance, bureaucrats and members of the foreign and defense policy communities in Japan and the Philippines have been discussing together, with all options on the table, what kind of defense cooperation would be possible. Following<br \/>\n the election of Ferdinand &#8220;Bongbong&#8221; Marcos Jr. as president, defense ties between the two countries developed rapidly. In July this year, the defense and foreign ministers of the two countries signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which will facilitate<br \/>\n the entry of equipment and troops for training and disaster relief operations, thus facilitating military-to-military exchanges between Manila and Tokyo.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">We should keep in mind that such a pact is not limited to bilateral projects. Rather, we should focus on the regional spillover effects<br \/>\n of such agreements. However, not only in Japan-Philippines relations, Japan&#8217;s recent deepening of security cooperation and dialogue with specific countries (known as minilateralism) does not seem to be welcomed or understood by neighboring partners.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">After the signing of the RAA, I was interviewed by the media in Taiwan and Singapore, who asked me whether Japan would send the JSDF to<br \/>\n the Philippines if it was attacked by another country. <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">They have confused the RAA with the Mutual Defense Treaty. It does not mean that they are frightened or alarmed by Japan&#8217;s military buildup.<br \/>\n The policy elites in these countries are just wondering whether Japan has changed its position on not sending its troops to other countries for combat operations. Moreover, they know little about Japan&#8217;s shift in security policy and the new institutions and<br \/>\n programs that have gradually been put in place over the past decade. <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">The Taiwanese media was also concerned about whether the coastal surveillance radar systems that Japan would provide to the Philippines<br \/>\n under the OSA would monitor the waters surrounding the Taiwan Strait. (Who knows? The operation of the surveillance radars is confidential, and the system has not yet been delivered.) An Indonesian political scientist told me, &#8220;If the Philippines and Japan,<br \/>\n or Vietnam and Japan, were to make defense deals without sufficient explanation to neighboring countries, such minilateralism would be more likely to arouse the suspicions of other neighboring countries.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">These are plausible arguments. Japan hosted a special summit in 2023 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and<br \/>\n cooperation, and the title of the Joint Vision Statement was &#8220;Trusted Partners.\u201d Japan&#8217;s move to strengthen defense ties with a particular country should not shake this trust that Japan and its Southeast Asian partners have built.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">On July 11, I had the opportunity to speak at the annual South China Sea conference of the Center for Strategic and International Studies<br \/>\n (CSIS), a Washington, DC-based think tank. This was just three days after Japan and the Philippines concluded the RAA. The keynote speaker was Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense since<br \/>\n the beginning of the Biden administration. He said, \u201cThe historic growth in the alliance between the United States and the Philippines has helped enable a growing community of minilateral cooperation across the region.\u201d<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">As he noted, the emerging grouping of like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific who share a vision of what the region can and should look<br \/>\n like is unique and different from traditional alliances. Defense networks in the region used to be dominated by the U.S.-led &#8220;hub and spokes&#8221; alliances with Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. Recently,&nbsp; Japan, one of the spokes,<br \/>\n has sought to strengthen bilateral and minilateral defense ties with other spoke countries and like-minded partners. On this point, Dr. Ratner noted, \u201cThe future we\u2019re striving toward is one with greater interoperability and cooperation among likeminded Indo-Pacific<br \/>\n partners. And this means enhanced reciprocal access, more participation in larger and more complex regional exercises, greater investment together in advanced capabilities. And Manila stands at an intersection of all of that. Now the new convergence in the<br \/>\n Indo-Pacific won\u2019t always start or include the United States, and nor should it. That\u2019s why, for example, we are really encouraged by the important opportunities that will emerge from the RAA announced just this week between Japan and the Philippines.\u201d<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">When it was my turn to speak at the conference, I argued that Japan, together with its partners, must clearly explain to its regional neighbors<br \/>\n how Japan&#8217;s new security assistance programs based on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific meet the common interests of Southeast Asian countries, what Japan has done so far, and what emerging minilateral cooperation and dialogues can bring tangible public goods<br \/>\n to the region.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">In March 2023, during a visit to India, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed new core elements of FOIP. There are various views on FOIP.<br \/>\n The concept of FOIP is the defense of &#8220;freedom&#8221; and &#8220;the rule of law,&#8221; he said. He also emphasized that the important principle of FOIP is respect for &#8220;diversity,&#8221; &#8220;inclusiveness,&#8221; and &#8220;openness,&#8221; and that Japan does not exclude anyone or impose values. Historical<br \/>\n and cultural diversity of each country, and &#8220;equal partnership&#8221; among nations are also mentioned. However, it still does not seem to be well recognized by our counterparts. When I participated in an exchange program for mid-career think tank leaders between<br \/>\n the QUAD (Japan-Australia-India-U.S.) and ASEAN countries in Indonesia in June, I found that a significant number of scholars in Southeast Asia remain highly skeptical of the QUAD or any minilateral mechanism\/arrangement that is even remotely related to security.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Therefore, Japan needs to do more to get the message out, with policymakers, bureaucrats, and researchers all working together. We probably<br \/>\n need more dialogue with intellectuals and those in policy communities in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and other key players in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">I would like to clarify three points.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">First, Japan has no legal basis to deploy the JSDF to the South China Sea for combat operations. The recent RAA between Japan and the Philippines<br \/>\n does not commit the two countries to mutual defense. It simplifies logistical procedures, including customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ), to facilitate troop exchanges.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Second, this RAA was not formed suddenly in response to the recent violent incidents at Second Thomas Reef. In light of Typhoon Yolanda<br \/>\n (Haiyan) in the Philippines and Japan&#8217;s month-long deployment of the JSDF for disaster relief in 2013, the need for force protection for each service member began to be discussed in high-level bilateral dialogues in 2015.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:black\">Third, Japan&#8217;s engagement in the South China Sea through bilateral and multilateral frameworks is not because it wants to get involved<br \/>\n in the conflict. It is because it is in everyone&#8217;s interest to keep this water area free and open, to maintain peace and stability in the sea lanes, and to that end, international law should give weight to the violent acts of those involved.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;\\00ff2d\\00ff33  \\00ff30\\0030b4\\0030b7\\0030c3\\0030af&quot;;display:none\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height:22.5pt\">\n<td style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:22.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:27.0pt\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Statistical Data and Analysis<\/span><\/b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"> (as of July 31)<b><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height:7.5pt\">\n<td style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:7.5pt\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">The China Coast Guard has been navigating in the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands on a daily basis, although the number of<br \/>\n consecutive navigating days was interrupted at 215 days due to the Typhoon No.3. However, compared to late June and the first half of July, the number of intrusions into Japanese territorial waters by China appears to be decreasing. It is unclear at this point<br \/>\n whether the decreasing frequency of China\u2019s intrusions is a short-term response to the typhoon or a long-term trend, and the situation needs to be carefully monitored.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">China&#8217;s ongoing aggressive maritime expansion has prompted historic cooperation between Japan and Taiwan on July 18. The coast guards<br \/>\n of Taiwan and Japan conducted a joint drill to prepare for contingencies in the East and South China Seas. This was the first time since Japan and Taiwan severed diplomatic relations in 1972.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">On July 28, the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC) was held, and Japan and US officials reiterated their strong opposition<br \/>\n to the China\u2019s intensifying attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea by force or coercion. The US side reaffirmed that Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands. Immediately after the meeting, China<br \/>\n expressed grave concerns and opposed Japan and the U.S., alleging that they were &#8220;falsely&#8221; accusing China on maritime issues. It is reported that China summoned Mr. Yokochi, minister of the Embassy of Japan in China, to lodge serious protests with Japan. Mr.<br \/>\n Yokochi, according to the embassy, properly explained the Japanese government&#8217;s position and reiterated Japan&#8217;s position on various issues concerning China.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height:22.5pt\">\n<td style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:22.5pt;word-break:break-word;text-indent:1rem\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;\\00ff2d\\00ff33  \\00ff30\\0030b4\\0030b7\\0030c3\\0030af&quot;\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">[Statistical Data as of July 31]<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Coast Guard (JCG) daily updates the statistical data on the number of China Coast Guard vessels entering in the contiguous zone<br \/>\n around the Senkaku Islands and intruding into Japanese territorial waters. The below is from the website of JCG.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/mission\/senkaku\/senkaku\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/mission\/senkaku\/senkaku&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YkE1wIr8qcEXRc_I-gEaA\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/<wbr>mission\/senkaku\/senkaku<\/a>.html)<\/span><\/u><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: calc(100% - 40px);\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">July<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Contiguous zone<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Territorial sea<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">June<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Contiguous zone<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Territorial sea<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">16<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">2<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">24<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">17<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">25<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">18<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">26<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">19<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">27<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">20<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">28<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">21<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">29<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">22<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">30<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">3<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">23<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">31<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">4<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>&nbsp;<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" style=\"background:white; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom:20px; width: calc(100% - 40px);\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height:22.5pt\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:22.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color:black\">&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;\\00ff2d\\00ff33  \\00ff30\\0030b4\\0030b7\\0030c3\\0030af&quot;\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:24.3pt\">\n<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size:13.5pt;font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Top News<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;word-break:break-word\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Date<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Topics<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/18<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) observed one Russian Vishnya class AGI (hull number 208) sailing northeast in the waters 40<br \/>\n km west of Rebun Island, Hokkaido.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240718_02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240718_02.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0SuWhCjRMD8PPxi1VPl0K6\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240718_02.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:none;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/18<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-top:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">The Japanese and Taiwanese coast guards conducted a joint drill simulating a rescue operation off the coast of Boso Peninsula, Chiba<br \/>\n Prefecture. This was the first joint exercise between Japan and Taiwan since the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 1972.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/defense-security\/20240719-199662\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/defense-security\/20240719-199662\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OlfU2GCcAnOJI3sc0rpXq\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.<wbr>jp\/politics\/defense-security\/<wbr>20240719-199662\/<\/a><br \/>\n<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/19<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:none;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">JMSDF observed several PLA Naval Vessels including Admiral Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Shandong (hull number 17) sailing in the<br \/>\n Pacific. JMSDF also observed that Shandon conducted approximately 20 landings and departures by fighter aircraft, and 20 by helicopters, total approximately 40 times.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240719_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240719_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2rclvTnyGg6Oz4JrvWQHJx\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240719_01.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/21<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) confirmed one Chinese UAV (estimated) flew from the Pacific and passed between Yonaguni Island and<br \/>\n Taiwan. The UAV then reached the East China Sea.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240721_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240721_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Gk7bwis-0PBDFolHtiHnX\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240721_01.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/22<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">JMSDF observed three Russian Steregushchiy-class frigates (hull number 333, 335 and 343) sailing north in the waters southwest of Yonaguni<br \/>\n Island.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240722_02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240722_02.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3thU58XSsRkmhzwDUL-WpN\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240722_02.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/25<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Coast Guard announced on July 24 that one Chinese Coast Guard vessel navigating in the contiguous waters around the Senkaku Islands<br \/>\n had left the area on July 23. It is believed that the vessel was evacuated due to approaching Typhoon No. 3. As no Chinese ships were sighted on the 24th, the consecutive days of Chinese navigation in the area, the longest since the Japanese government nationalized<br \/>\n the Senkaku Islands, ended at 215 days.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">The Sankei<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/article\/20240725-7JJZDDJOSFPN5EFNVMVFNHKRS4\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/article\/20240725-7JJZDDJOSFPN5EFNVMVFNHKRS4\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129743000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3KLVUYmKu37bLol6ikAFqZ\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/<wbr>article\/20240725-<wbr>7JJZDDJOSFPN5EFNVMVFNHKRS4\/<\/a><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/28<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">The Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC) was held in Tokyo. Four Ministers expressed their strong opposition to China<\/span><span style=\"color:#202020\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">s<br \/>\n unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea. The U.S. side reaffirmed that Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands. The U.S. side also indicated a plan to reconstitute its forces in Japan as a joint<br \/>\n force headquarters under the command of the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). Both sides welcomed the high-priority efforts to pursue the co-production opportunity to expand production capacity of Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) including AMRAAM and PAC-3 MSE.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">NHK World<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20240728_15\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20240728_15\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3RVmdlLS2q1OOBG8kuPWry\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/<wbr>nhkworld\/en\/news\/20240728_15\/<\/a><br \/>\n<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Press Release<br \/>\n<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_00455.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_00455.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1aGGQ8hvPfAWI4h2wT_qje\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_00455.<wbr>html<\/a><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/29<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Coast Guard observed four Chinese Coast Guard vessels navigating in the contiguous waters of the Senkaku Islands, on Augst 28.<br \/>\n It was the first time in five days that a Chinese ship sailed in the area. The Chinese vessels had been sailing for 215 consecutive days, the longest record ever, until August 23, when they were temporarily evacuated due to the approach of Typhoon No. 3.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">The Yaeyama-nippo<br \/>\n<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yaeyama-nippo.co.jp\/archives\/23654\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/yaeyama-nippo.co.jp\/archives\/23654&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2AZeAW4goy8n4STWC-1BsO\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/yaeyama-nippo.co.jp\/<wbr>archives\/23654<\/a><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height:7.5pt\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;height:7.5pt\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/29<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-top:solid white 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:none;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">JMSDF observed two Russian Grisha V class corvette (hull number 350 and 390) sailing east in the waters northwest of Rebun Island. And<br \/>\n JMSDF also observed two Russian Tarantul III class corvette (hull number 971 and 991) sailing southwest in the waters northeast of Cape Soya.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240729_03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240729_03.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2nOkq_sPXuCD-wMZkc_9q4\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240729_03.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/29<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">JMSDF observed one PLAN vessels, Dongdiao class AGI (hull number 799) sailing north in the waters south of Yonaguni Island.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240729_04.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240729_04.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw21dvJ4VOTUKfFFTOUJ_9HS\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240729_04.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/29<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">JMSDF observed two PLAN vessels, one Luyang III class destroyer (hull number 124) and one Jiangkai-class frigate (hull number 538), in<br \/>\n the waters south of Yonaguni Island. JMSDF also observed two PLAN vessels, one Renhai-class destroyer (hull number 102) and Fuchi class replenishment oilers (hull number 903), sailing north in the waters 70km east of Miyako Island.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240729_05.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240729_05.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw04srZU17CXJJpvd6buxdYZ\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240729_05.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;border-right:solid white 1.0pt;background:#a5e9ff;padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">7\/30<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:none;border-bottom:solid white 1.0pt;background:#eeeeee;padding:0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:3.75pt 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">JASDF confirmed that one Chinese reconnaissance UAV (WZ-7) flew form the direction of the mainland China and then flew to the off the<br \/>\n northwest coast of Amami-Oshima Island.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt\">\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left;line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><\/p>\n<hr size=\"1\" width=\"40%\" align=\"left\">\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:0mm 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\">Japan Joint Staff<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:16.8pt\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240730_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2024\/p20240730_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729214129744000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3PI40PyUg6Bw8MgXoQnycX\" rel=\"noopener\"><span lang=\"FR\">https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2024\/p20240730_01.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><span lang=\"FR\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Helvetica&quot;,sans-serif;color:#202020\"><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/center>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Newsletter Registration<\/h3>\n<p>What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory.<\/p>\n<div class=\"u-mbs is-top mw-400\">\n  <a class=\"c-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/CiMT6bWdHrryT8mM6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Registration Form<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vol.3, August 6, 2024 What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory. &nbsp; &nbsp; Monthly Column By Saya Kiba Associate Professor, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies &nbsp; &nbsp; Emerging minilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: What is it for? &nbsp; &nbsp; As an unintended consequence, the South China Sea &hellip; <span>More<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2309,"menu_order":43,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Vol.3, August 6, 2024 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u300cVol.3, August 6, 2024 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. 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