Japanese and US coast guards have begun training their Philippine counterparts on ways to challenge suspicious ships in the South China Sea off the Philippine coast. The drill comes as China is increasing its maritime activities in the area.

The training session began on October 23, with trainers sent from Japan and the US. In a simulated drill on Thursday, Coast Guard members on a rubber dinghy approached a ship, boarded it, and, using arrest techniques they'd learned from the trainers, subdued the crew.

Trainer Shinohara Soichiro of Japan's Coast Guard congratulated the Philippine Coast Guard members on doing a good job. He pointed out that the trainees had started from a scratch and had learned quickly.

He said that the Philippines, the US and Japan will continue to cooperate in protecting the seas.

A special advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister, Mori Masafumi, inspected part of the training on Thursday.

Mori said that the Philippines is an important partner in efforts to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Japan and the US plan to continue to provide training for the Philippine Coast Guard three to four times a year.