Japan mulls joining West PH Sea patrols

TOKYO: Japan’s military may join US forces on patrol in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the nation’s top uniformed officer said in an interview published Thursday, as Tokyo seeks a greater security role.

China’s recent moves to build artificial islands have created “very serious potential concerns” for Japan, Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF), said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.