Japan, China trade barbs on WPS; PCG: Coral reef damage 'extensive'

Japan on Monday raised concern over the extensive maritime damage in waters frequented by Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, but China quickly shot back by denouncing Tokyo’s release of contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant. The Japanese Embassy in Manila said the damage done to coral reefs, presumably by Chinese boats in Rozul (Iroquois) Reef was “very alarming news.” “Our oceans are the lifeblood of our plant, and coral reefs are its colorful heartbeat. Let’s preserve and protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come,” Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said on his X social media account.