Japan - Us Joint Exercises Underway
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Army are holding one of their largest-ever joint exercises at camps and training grounds across Japan.
The drills started last Thursday. About 3,000 personnel are taking part.
A US army interceptor missile unit has been deployed to Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture for the first time as part of the exercises.
The aim of the drills is apparently to show close coordination between the two countries, with China in mind. Beijing has been increasing its activities in the East China Sea.
Exercises at Camp Amami that began Wednesday are based on a scenario of an enemy air attack. About 70 personnel are taking part.
Ground-based launchers and radar for the PAC3 interceptor system have been brought in from the US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture. The participants simulated a launch and confirmed other steps.
GSDF Chief of Staff General Yoshida Yoshihide and the commander of the US Army Japan, Brigadier General Joel Vowell, inspected the training on Thursday.
The exercises are to run through July 9.