Japan, US and India held joint maritime drill - agency

TOKYO - 8 November 2017: Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has held joint naval exercises with the United States and India.

The drills took place in the Sea of Japan for the first time, Japan's NHK World reported Tuesday.

Self-Defense Force officials say five vessels, including the Japanese destroyer Inazuma and the US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan took part in the four-day drills that ended on Monday.

The USS Ronald Reagan has been operating in the Sea of Japan near the Korean Peninsula since mid-October in case of possible provocations from North Korea.

MSDF Chief of Staff Yutaka Murakawa said the latest drills were not held with any specific country in mind.

He said the aim was to deepen mutual understanding and promote ties among the three countries.