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Japanese warship to join exercise in South China Sea

A Japanese warship is to take part in a multinational exercise in the South China Sea for the first time, but officials in Tokyo insist the Kunisaki's involvement is purely in a disaster-relief capacity.

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The Rising Sun Flag is flown aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship, LST Kunisaki, on May 27, 2014 in Yokosuka, Japan. Photo: AP

A Japanese warship is to take part in a multinational exercise in the South China Sea for the first time, but officials in Tokyo insist the Kunisaki's involvement is purely in a disaster-relief capacity.

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The Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) ship left the US Navy's Yokosuka Base, southwest of Tokyo, yesterday.

The Kunisaki is due to arrive in Vietnam next Friday for 11 days of exercises.

The ship will be used to transport as many as 140 US and Australian troops that are also taking part in the Pacific Partnership drills, which were first held in 2007 and are led by the US.

It is the largest number of foreign troops that an MSDF vessel has transported as part of the annual exercises.

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The 9,000-tonne Kunisaki is officially categorised as a tank landing ship.

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