US and Japan hold live military drills in northern Japan

APD NEWS

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The US and Japanese troops are holding a live fire military exercise in the northern Japanese city of Eniwa, Hokkaido. The drill was part of exercise Northern Viper, said to be the largest bilateral training ever held between the US and Japan.

Although the Northern Viper is one of many exercises that Japan's Self Defense Forces conduct regularly with their US counterparts, this is the first to be held in Hokkaido, in order for both sides to strengthen military coordination on unfamiliar ground.

The 18-day live fire exercise involves 3,500 troops, and includes rocket artillery drills and live-fire operations. It runs through until August 28th.

(CGTN)