Japan, S. Korea, U.S. forces start joint exercise, rapped by N. Korea

TOKYO - Japan, South Korea and the United States launched a trilateral multi-domain exercise Monday to boost capabilities and safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, with North Korea blasting it as part of Washington's "invariable" hostile policy toward the country.

The Freedom Edge exercise, featuring real-time data sharing and synchronized maritime and aviation coordination with more focus on cyber defense, will be held through Friday, the three countries said. Japan said it will be conducted in and over the East China Sea, among other locations.