Japan, Us To Hold Maximum - Scale Training Exercise
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Army will hold one of their largest-ever training exercises from Thursday.
Japan's Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo announced on Tuesday that the Orient Shield exercise will be conducted across the country through July 11.
Orient Shield is held annually under the scenario of a joint military operation.
About 3,000 Japanese and American personnel will take part in this year's exercise. The Japanese and US defense chiefs had agreed in March to step up rapid-responsiveness through high-level training.
Kishi stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership between the Self-Defense Forces and the US military amid an increasingly serious regional security environment.
He expressed hope of boosting the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance.