Tokyo, Nov 7 — The armed forces of Japan and the United States began today their first joint military maneuvers under Japan’s new legislation allowing their troops to fight abroad.

The maneuvers, which will last until Wednesday, integrate some 25,000 soldiers from the Japan Self-Defense Forces and 11,000 Americans into Keen Sword, the joint operation conducted each year by both countries.

However, this is the first time that the troops will simulate a rescue operation of an American plane shot down in a conflict abroad, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported.

The two armies started their drills in the waters between Naha and Ukibaru islands, in the southern Okinawa archipelago, and Wednesday they will carry out another practice on a larger scale in an unrevealed location, according to the ministry.

In this second maneuver, the two countries will simulate the rescue operation of the crew of a ship attacked at sea, using aircraft and boats.

The aim of these maneuvers is to put into practice the new powers stemming from a controversial military reform which has been in force since March that allows Japanese troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War II.

In particular, Japan can now defend its allies and provide logistical support if they are attacked, and participate in UN security operations as well as those that aim to secure sea routes or release kidnapped Japanese citizens abroad.

The new regulations are expected to give Japan a more active role on the international stage, in addition to strengthening the protection of the archipelago against China’s military rise in the region and possible threats from North Korea. EFE