Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces personnel take part in joint exercises with US troops. (AFP pic)TOKYO: Japan kicked off a joint military exercise with the US on Monday that will see a type of long-range missiles deployed outside their base for the first time, as Tokyo's ties with China languish at rock bottom.
The Keen Sword drill, which runs through Oct 29 in various parts of Japan, will be one of the largest exercises ever between the two allies, involving around 45,000 Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel and 12,000 US troops.
Japan's Joint Staff previously said that long-range Type 25 surface-to-ship guided missiles would be deployed at a training ground in the southern region of Kyushu during the exercise.
