Phl-Japan-US coast guards simulate crisis amid China threat

Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smoldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea last week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines.

- 

The joint coast guard exercises held off Japan's southwest shore follow a warning from the three countries about Chinese activity in disputed regional waters.

Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have pushed Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States.

This week marked the second time the countries' coast guards have held training drills together, and the first in Japan.

They took place over five days off the coast of Kagoshima, where Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline, quietly puffing out smoke and ash.

Dozens of personnel took part, with Friday's final exercises featuring one vessel from each of the three countries' coast guards.

They included the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement.

The 2,265-ton vessel, named after a schoolteacher and revolutionary, usually monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea.