The Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military will hold joint exercises in preparation for contingencies involving the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, according to an agreement reached by Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Tuesday.
The joint exercises will involve members of all three SDF branches -- Ground, Maritime and Air -- and personnel of the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Navy and Air Force.
During the exercises, the two sides will confirm matters such as the division of roles regarding landings or recapturing the Senkaku Islands in the event of an invasion.
The joint exercises are aimed at containing China, which has repeatedly intruded into Japan's territorial waters.
At a joint press conference held after the 2-plus-2 security meeting of Japanese and U.S. foreign and defense ministers, Kishi said, "From the perspective of deterrence, it is important to show that the U.S. military and the SDF act together."
Pool photo / AP
U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, left, stands with Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi during a meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo on Tuesday.
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