"Tripartite Naval Exercise Planned in South China Sea by Japan, US, and Australia"

Japan, the United States, and Australia are considering deploying their vessels carrying aircraft to the Philippines for a trilateral naval drill in the South China Sea. The exercise, planned for next week, comes amid escalating tensions between China and the Philippines following a recent incident where a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine military-chartered boat. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force will be sending its largest destroyer, the Izumo, which is undergoing renovation to become a de facto aircraft carrier.