Japanese Self-Defense Forces fired the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM-1) off the coast of Paoay, northern Luzon, Philippines, on the 6th as part of the multinational joint exercise 'Balikatan' led by the United States and the Philippines, sinking a warship in the training. The photo shows the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile used in the exercise. [Yonhap News]

Amid Japan's recent principle of allowing the export of lethal weapons, the Japanese Defense Minister and the Philippine Defense Secretary jointly observed the use of Japanese weaponry in a multinational joint exercise held in the Philippines, Japanese media reported on the 6th.

According to Nikkei and other news outlets, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, participating in the multinational joint exercise 'Balikatan' led by the United States and the Philippines, launched two Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles (SSM-1) off the coast of Paoay in northern Luzon, Philippines, on this day, sinking a decommissioned warship approximately 75 km away.

Both missiles launched successfully hit the target warship owned by the Philippine military, confirmed the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military.

While the Japanese Self-Defense Forces had previously participated in Balikatan exercises as observers, this year marked their first full participation in the actual training, with approximately 1,400 combat troops deployed.

The sinking exercise on this day involved 140 personnel from the 1st Special Weapons Unit of the Northern Army, a firepower unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force stationed in Chitose City, Hokkaido.

The sinking exercise was observed by Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Koisumi and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos remotely observed the exercise from the capital, Manila, Nikkei reported, citing the Philippine military.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Koisumi (left) and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro [Yonhap News]  

After observing the exercise, Secretary Teodoro commented to reporters about the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile, stating, "Its performance was remarkable."

Regarding plans to import similar defense equipment from Japan, he said, "We are ready to discuss it at any time."

Prior to observing the exercise, Minister Koisumi and Secretary Teodoro held a meeting and agreed to establish a framework for practical consultations on the export of used Abukuma-class destroyers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The Philippines, which is in a standoff with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea, is showing interest in enhancing its defense capabilities through the import of Japanese weapons.

According to Nikkei, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a press conference on the same day regarding the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' training exercise involving the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile in the Philippines, "Japan dispatching its Self-Defense Forces overseas to launch offensive missiles goes far beyond the scope of self-defense."