US joins Japan for military drills in show of strength against North Korea
JAPAN’S navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two US aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan adding pressure on North Korea to halt an accelerating ballistic missile programme.
Express.co.uk
Thu, Jun 1, 2017
Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force has sent two ships, including one of its four helicopter carriers, the Hyuga, to join the US carriers, the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Carl Vinson, and their eight escort ships, Japan’s military said in a release.
Japanese Air Self Defence Force F-15s are taking part in simulated combat with US Navy F-18 fighters at the same time, the military said.
A Japanese military spokesman said: “It’s the first time we have exercised with two carriers. It’s a major exercise for us.”
The Sea of Japan separates Japan from the Korean peninsula.
The United States sent the warships to the region after a surge of tension on the Korean peninsula over fears the North was about to conduct a sixth nuclear test, or another test in its bid to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the mainland United States.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed to work with other countries to deter North Korea, which on Monday conducted a short-range ballistic missile test.
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