Japan sent its biggest warship to protect the U.S. warship USS Carl Vinson, stationed off the Korean Peninsula. Japan will help guard its ally in case of an attack, provocation, or another missile test.
The Japanese military has recently become more active after decades of World War II era restrictions. The restrictions were meant as punishment for Japan’s actions.
But increasing tensions in the region have forced policy toward Japan’s military to change. Japan is also joining in four-country military exercises hosted by the French government, and may have to play a larger and larger role in warding off North Korean aggression.