Aug 17 (NHK) - Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and US Marines have opened their joint exercises in Hokkaido, northern Japan, to the media.
The exercises began last week at 3 drill sites of the Ground-Self Defense Force, with 3,300 Japanese and US personnel taking part.
The media were invited on Wednesday to one of the 3 sites, which spans from Chitose to other areas.
About 300 personnel simulated an invasion of an enemy position. Tanks fired shells at a target roughly 1.5 kilometers away. Troops then made their advance, firing rifles and machine guns.
US Osprey transport aircraft were to take part in the exercise from the start. But Japan's Defense Ministry asked the US military to ground the aircraft after a fatal crash off Australia earlier this month involving an Osprey from a US base in Okinawa, southwestern Japan.
Source: ANNnewsCH
