U.S. warships participated in training exercises with Japanese ships in the Sea of Japan on June 1.
The U.S. carriers were the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan. Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force sent two ships, including one of its four helicopter carriers, the Hyuga, to join the U.S. carriers and their eight escort ships.
The joint Japan-U.S. military exercise is expected to last three days. The goal is to put pressure on North Korea to stop its missile program.
The Sea of Japan separates Japan from the Korean Peninsula.
The United States sent the ships to the region over concerns that Pyongyang was about to conduct a sixth nuclear test.
Japan maritime forces and U.S. Navy forces routinely train together. They aim to improve readiness to provide stability and security for the Asia-Pacific region.
