May 12, 2015:

"The Philippines and Japan held their first joint naval exercises in the South China Sea on Tuesday, while Japan’s coastguard works with Vietnam this week, as Tokyo boosts maritime ties with two nations at odds with Beijing over the disputed waterway.

Japan’s cooperation follows a speech last year by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowing to help Southeast Asia maintain freedom of navigation and overflight in the region."

Read more:

http://www.therakyatpost.com/world/2015/05/12/japan-steps-up-maritime-engagement-with-philippines-vietnam/