Japan’s decision to send combat troops to the Philippines for the first time since World War II and participate in a ship-sinking drill in the South China Sea this week underscores Tokyo’s rising willingness to project military power on China’s doorstep.

Japan and the Philippines have announced plans to deepen defense cooperation amid growing tensions with China in the South China Sea. Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro reaffirmed opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the regional status quo by force or coercion.