Japan, Us, S.korea To Hold Joint Drills In The Sea Of Japan On Friday
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force says it will hold joint drills with the US and South Korean navies in the Sea of Japan on Friday.
The MSDF said on Thursday that its destroyer will take part in the exercise along with five US vessels, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and a submarine, and a destroyer from the South Korean Navy.
The last time the three countries conducted a joint exercise in the Sea of Japan was in December 2017.
The MSDF says Friday's drills are part of efforts to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, and will include an exercise targeting submarines navigating underwater.
Observers say the MSDF appears to be emphasizing trilateral cooperation, while keeping North Korea, China and Russia in mind.
Separately, the US and South Korea held a joint military exercise from Monday through Thursday, also in the Sea of Japan. North Korea condemned the drills and fired ballistic missiles on Sunday and Wednesday.
Japan's Defense Ministry said Russian and Chinese naval vessels appeared to be conducting a joint patrol when they navigated in the Pacific Ocean near the Izu Islands, south of Tokyo, on Monday and Tuesday. The SDF says it will continue to keep a close watch on such activities.