Japan military chief says South China Sea surveillance possible

Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force's destroyers Harusame (DD-102) and Amagiri (rear DD-154) sail side by side with Philippine warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16) as they make a formation during their joint naval drill in the South China Sea, in this handout photo taken May 12, 2015 and released by the Maritime Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan on May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Maritime Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan/Handout via Reuters

Washington (Reuters) - Japan's top military commander, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, said on Thursday he expected China to become increasingly assertive in the South China Sea and it was possible Japan would conduct patrols and surveillance activities there in the future.

Speaking in Washington, Kawano said there had been "talk" of Japan conducting such patrols in the South China Sea, including anti-submarine activities.