Japan sub makes port call in Subic

^{--By Danny Pata}

A Japanese submarine made a port call on Sunday morning at the Alava Pier in Subic Freeport in Olongapo City in Zambales.

JS Oyashio (SS-511) of the Japanese Navy will stay in the Philippines until April 6, as part of the three-day goodwill visit for a series of confidence-building activities, including open sea drills, with the Philippine Navy.

--By Danny Pata

An ealier report indicated that the sub's visit is the first in 15 years, and that it is scheduled to proceed to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam.

The visit came amid China's accusation that Japan is interfering in the South China Sea maritime disputes.

Japan, which occupied the Philippines and Vietnam during World War II, is now strengthening relations with the two countries, both sharing concerns over China's massive claim in the South China Sea.

Aside from the disputes South China Sea, Beijing is embroiled in a separate row with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea that has seen relations sour badly in recent years.

Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim all or part of the Spratlys chain in the Sea, while Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims with China in the Paracels chain there. — with a report from Agence France-Presse/LBG, GMA News