Glad to know that at least Japan isn't being a total Dog to the United States (US), unlike some Countries I know, cough, cough, when they allowed a Group from their Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to visit a Facility of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in Tianjin, China recently.
This is Part of a Military Exchange Program between the two Countries, and Japan's group is composed of 13 Middle-Ranking Officers of the SDF. The Group will stay for several Days and will also be visiting a Chinese Army Unit in Beijing and a Chinese Naval Facility in Guangzhou.
I know some Countries like ours wouldn’t even allow such Visits or Exchanges now with China, in fact, some in our Military even proudly (but anonymously) told the Press after former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Term about how they exerted all Efforts to sabotage his Directive to have Military Interactions with China.
Remember that Japan also has Territorial Disputes with China, particularly over the Natuna Islands where their Coast Guards even went into “Bump Boat” and “Watercannon Wars”. And yet this has not prevented them with conducting Exchanges with China Militarily.
Here is the Link to the Article at “The Japan Times” Website: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/11/29/japan/japan-sdf-visit-chinese-military/
SOURCE: SDF Officers visit Chinese Military in Exchange Program {Archived Link}