Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps on Monday conducted a joint drill simulating the defense of remote islands at a training area in Hokkaido, using the Marines' High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS.The drill, held at Yausubetsu Training Area in the northernmost main island's east, was part of ongoing joint exercises from Oct. 1 to 14 and involved about 150 Hokkaido-based Japanese ground force personnel and about 40 Marines from Okinawa. The training was open to media outlets.The Japanese and U.S. forces are working to enhance their deterrent and response…READ FULL ARTICLE
