Japan's Self Defense Force patrolled the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday for the first time in an attempt to send a message to China, as reported by the Yomiuri newspaper, citing multiple government sources.
The SDF destroyer Sazanami entered the waters from the East China Sea on Wednesday morning, embarking on a journey that lasted more than 10 hours sailing southward to complete the passage, according to the Japanese newspaper's report on Thursday.
The passage was carried out in collaboration with naval ships from Australia and New Zealand, further strengthening the show of presence in the region, the paper noted.
When approached for comment on the report, an SDF official declined to provide any additional information.
