Japan MSDF destroyer sailed Taiwan Strait in Feb., 1st since Sept.

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait in early February in a challenge to China's military assertiveness in the area, a Japanese government source said Saturday.The destroyer Akizuki navigated the waterway between China and Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing, after taking part in a joint drill on Feb. 5 with U.S., Australian and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.The ship's passage through the strait comes after MSDF destroyer Sazanami sailed in the narrow sea channel along with Australian and New Zealand vessels in September.The A…READ FULL ARTICLE