Photo/Illutration The decks of Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels are crammed with visitors during a fleet review held in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture, in October 2015. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Japan opted not to invite South Korea’s Navy to take part in a Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet review scheduled for October because of the dire state of relations between the two countries.

“Ties between Japan and South Korea continue to be in a very tough situation, and we felt the environment wasn't right to invite South Korea,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga explained at a Sept. 24 news conference.

The exercise is planned for Oct. 14 in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Suga did not directly refer to South Korean Supreme Court rulings last year on the issue of wartime labor that incensed Japan and plunged bilateral relations to a new low.

Japan's decision to exclude South Korea from the exercise shows that defense cooperation between the two neighbors is increasingly getting out of step.

MSDF Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura announced at a regular news conference Sept. 24 that the South Korean Navy will not be joining the fleet review this year.

However, seven friendly nations--the United States, Britain, Canada, Singapore, Australia, China and India--will attend the event. This is the first time for China to join.

A spokesperson for South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense noted Sept. 24 that as no invitation was received from Japan, the country would not attend. The official added that it is the matter decided by the host country.

The fleet review has typically been held every three years since 1957. This year’s review will be 29th. The figure includes international fleet reviews held in turn with other countries.

The purpose of the exercise is to enhance trust with other friendly nations, facilitate defense exchanges and motivate personnel.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Taro Kono are among dignitaries who will attend the event and review the fleets.

South Korea's Navy first attended an international fleet review in 2002 and a fleet review in 2015, which were both held in Japan.

(This article was written by Ryuichi Yamashita in Tokyo and Takuya Suzuki in Seoul.)