Japan-U.S. , Bolster Military Cooperation , Amid Heightened Tension.<br />On March 15, Japanese and United States <br />Marines held their first combat drills together <br />to strengthen the allies' military cooperation. .<br />ABC reports that 400 troops from Japan's Amphibious <br />Rapid Deployment Brigade and 600 U.S. Marines based out of <br />Japan's southern island of Okinawa participated in the drills.<br />ABC reports that 400 troops from Japan's Amphibious <br />Rapid Deployment Brigade and 600 U.S. Marines based out of <br />Japan's southern island of Okinawa participated in the drills.<br />The airborne landing and combat operations <br />were based on a scenario of an enemy <br />invasion of a Japanese island. .<br />The drills were reportedly part of a three-week <br />joint exercise meant to strengthen the allies <br />deterrence and response capabilities. .<br />The drills were reportedly part of a three-week <br />joint exercise meant to strengthen the allies <br />deterrence and response capabilities. .<br />We are committed to securing <br />the peace and stability in the region <br />through Japan-U.S. joint responses. <br />Any potential adversary will see this<br />as our actual capability, not just words, Col. Masashi Hiraki, commander of Japan's First Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, via ABC.<br />Japan, together with the U.S. Marines, <br />have the will and ability to defend the region, <br />and I expect this to provide deterrence, Col. Masashi Hiraki, commander of Japan's First Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, via ABC.<br />ABC reports that Japan has bolstered its defense budget and capabilities for nearly a decade. .<br />Now, the island nation is revising <br />its national security strategy amid threats <br />from China, North Korea and Russia. .<br />Now, the island nation is revising <br />its national security strategy amid threats <br />from China, North Korea and Russia. .<br />Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has reported multiple recent sightings of Russian warships around Japan's northern islands. .<br />Russia's military has been <br />escalating abnormal naval drills <br />in areas including the Okhotsk <br />in sync with their invasion of Ukraine. <br />We told Russia we are watching <br />its intensifying military activity <br />with grave concern, Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, via ABC
