US, Japanese warships conduct first joint naval exercise in waters

U.S. and Japanese warships, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, are conducting joint naval exercises in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula for the first time in five years, in a show of their close military alliance amid growing speculation of North Korea's missile or nuclear testing later this week.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. 7th Fleet said Wednesday they conducted a joint naval exercise at the Sea of Japan. It was the first time the U.S. aircraft carrier held the exercise in the area since 2017 and is seen as an attempt to deter North Korea's provocation.

Defense experts have warned that North Korea may launch another missile or even conduct a nuclear test early this week, when Pyongyang celebrates the birth anniversary of its founding leader Kim Il-sung. There are growing tensions in the region ahead of an annual joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea.

Japan has stepped up joint military exercises with its closest ally, the United States, as well as regional partners in recent years, due to rising concern over China's increasingly assertive military actions in the regional seas.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that the joint exercise is aimed at strengthening military cooperation between Japan and the United States, and is not keeping in mind a specific country. We will continue to strengthen the deterrence and response capability of the Japan-U. S. alliance and to do utmost for the defence of our country. Details of the exercise will be released by the Japanese Defense Ministry when the situation allows a disclosure. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said its destroyer JS Kongo and JS Inazuma, as well as Japanese F- 2 fighters joined the carrier strike group USS Abraham Lincoln in order to strengthen the capability of the Japan-US alliance for effective deterrence and response. The Japanese navy tweeted that our works contribute to regional peace and stability.

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense official said they can't provide specific dates and locations of the ongoing joint exercise until it's finished.

Tension has risen in the area over North Korea's recent missile tests this year, including its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years.

Some experts say that the North's recent missile tests were meant to improve its weapons technology, increase its leverage in future negotiations with the U.S. and to secure stronger internal loyalty. They say North Korea could soon conduct another ICBM launch, a launch of a satellite-carrying rocket or a test of a nuclear device in the coming weeks.