Japan’s coast guard has held a joint exercise with counterparts from the United States and the Philippines, as the three Pacific nations beef up defense cooperation in the face of China’s expanding maritime activities.

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

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