Japan-US joint exercise involves retaking island
News On Japan via NHKReloaded -- Oct 15
Japan's Self Defense Forces and the US military are planning to conduct a joint exercise in Okinawa Prefecture. The scenario would involve recapturing a remote island that was occupied by enemy forces.
The SDF and the US military in Japan will hold a large-scale exercise early next month to enhance the defense of Japan's southwestern islands.
Irisuna Island, 50 kilometers off Okinawa in the East China Sea, is being considered as a location for the drill.
The SDF and the US military conducted a similar drill last month on the Pacific island of Guam. However, Irisuna Island would be the first such exercise in Japanese territory.
The SDF and the US military say that the joint exercise is not being held with any specific island or country in mind.
Japanese government officials say they are still studying the plan because bi-lateral relations with China have soured recently over a territorial dispute involving the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
野田総理大臣は相模湾で行われた観艦式に出席し、尖閣諸島や竹島など領土や主権を巡る問題が起きているとしたうえで、「自衛隊の重要性は増している」と訓示しました。
Source: NHKReloaded, ANNnewsCH
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