Japan says it will hold a bilateral military exercise with the United States next month, to bolster island defense capabilities.
Code named "Keen Sword", the drill will take place from November 8th to 19th. It will be held in territories east of Japan’s major southern island of Kyushu.
More than 30, 000 Self Defense Forces from Japan, and around 10 thousand troops from the US will participate in the event. Japan will also send 25 warships and 260 planes, while the US will send its 7th fleet, Pacific Air Forces and the 3rd Marine Division at Okinawa. The field drill is held every two years.