Japan and the US kick off joint drills around islands as regional tensions rise

TOKYO -- Japanese and U.S. troops on Monday kicked off one of their largest joint exercises focusing on the defense of Japan's southwestern islands and showcasing advanced weapons systems in the face of growing tension in the region. About 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 American service members are participating in the biennial Keen Sword 27.Seven other nations from the Indo-Pacific region and Europe are also taking part in some elements of the exercises, five of them — France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines — for the first time, according to Japan's Joint Staff. During the exercises, which run through Oct. 29, the Japanese and U.S. militaries will largely focus on defending Japan's southwestern islands and waters around its northern coasts as the country faces growing tension from China, North Korea and Russia. Japan considers China’s rapidly growing military activities in and around Japan, including in the Pacific Ocean, as a threat and has fortified its southwestern region with longer-range missiles and interceptors in recent years.The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense, mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logis...