United States Joins Japan For Island Defense Drills

36,000 personnel, 30 naval vessels and 370 aircraft will simulate a defense of Japan’s remote islands Nov. 10-19, reports Japanese public broadcaster NHK World-Japan.

Joint logistics facilities for fuel and equipment will be set up at U.S. Marine Corps Camp Kinser on Okinawa and Amami Oshima Island, in Kagoshima.

Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu announced the joint Japanese-U.S. exercises today. Australian and British naval vessels will also take part in the exercise and additional NATO officers will observe the exercises.