Japan's First Ship-Sub FONOP in South China Sea starts April 3 - 6, 2016

Japan's older class JS Oyashio (SS-511) training submarine has no AIP but relies on lead-acid batteries. The Oyashio class preceded the better known Soryu class. This will be the first Japanese submarine visit to the Philippines in 15 years. Behind Oyashio can be seen 
destroyer JS Ariake (DD-109). (Photo courtesy Agency France Press-JIJI via Japan Times).

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This submarine and the two Japanese destroyers (below) will be at the Philippine naval and commercial port of Subic Bay for a three-day port visit, from Sunday April 3 to April 6. The two destroyers, but not submarine Oyashio, will then sail on to Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base, Vietnam. This can be considered a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP). This is because the two destroyers will cross the large zone in the South China Sea defined by China's self-proclaimed Nine-dash-line (see maps below). 

Japan is providing increasing aid to the Philippines (including small observation aircraft and in future small patrol boats) and plans to give aid to Vietnam (if requested by Vietnam).

Japan probably sails naval ships across the South China Sea more frequently but this early April 2016 movement is quite widely publicised - so it may prompt a Chinese reaction, perhaps in several days.

 Visiting Subic Bay, Philippines, April 2016, then visiting Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, later in April 2016 is JS Setogiri (DD-156) (an Asagiri-class destroyer), Commissioned 1990, 5,000 tons full load of the Asagiri class. Upfront behind the gun is a Mk.16 (Type 74) ASROC anti-submarine rocket octuple launcher (this carries 8 rockets, each with a lightweight torpedo). Amidships are 2 x  quadruple Harpoon launchers. One MHI built SH-60J(K) anti-sub helicopter.

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JS Ariake (DD-109) a Murasame-class destroyer, above is visiting Subic Bay, Philippines, April 2016 then visiting Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, later in April 2016.
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Note Subic Bay is at Luzon, the large northern island of the Philippines.
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China has, by itself, decided to claim most of the South China Sea within its artificial "Nine dash line" (Map above) (Map courtesy GeoGarage).

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CHINA'S RESPONSE SO FAR

In answer to “It is reported that Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to send a submarine to the Philippines along with two warships that will then sail on to Vietnam. What is China's comment on that?”  The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 7, 2016 Press Conference spokesmen answered: 

“It needs pointing out that cooperation among relevant countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability instead of targeting a third party, still less harming the sovereignty and security interests of other countries. Japan once illegally occupied China's islands in the South China Sea during WWII. We are on high alert against Japan's attempt to return to the South China Sea through military means.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry may again complain at Press Conferences on April 6, 7, 8, 2016. Watch this space.

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Submarine Matters reported previously on this FONOP at Japan's Navy and Aid Becomes More Active in the South China Sea, March 8, 2016.

As reported in Submarine Matters the article Subic Bay, Philippines, Still Important to US Navy, November 12, 2015 many US ships and submarines visit Subic and Manila Bays each year.

Pete