TOKYO -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force on Thursday began an annual Indo-Pacific tour that is set to be its largest to date, including a port call in Kiribati after the island nation switched its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.
Defense
Japan's defense forces to visit Kiribati on biggest-ever Indo-Pacific tour
Deployment aims to check China's influence after island nation cuts Taiwan ties
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami and Kumano frigates at the Yokosuka base. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
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