Japan, Tonga Hold First Joint Navy Drill to Bolster Defense Cooperation

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) escort ship Kurama sails through smoke during a fleet review off Sagami Bay, Kanagawa prefecture, on Oct. 18, 2015. Thirty-six MSDF vessels and navy ships from Australia, India, France, South Korea, and the United States participated in the fleet review. Toru Yamanaka/AFP via Getty Images

Japan and Tonga have held their first joint navy drill to bolster defense cooperation amid growing concerns over China’s military presence in the region.

The joint drill, which was held in waters near the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa from Aug. 20 to Aug. 22, involved the Japanese destroyer JS Kirisame and the Tongan patrol vessel Ngahau Siliva.