Japan and US Marines Conduct First Joint Combat Drills Amid China, Russia Threats

A U.S. Marine Corp Osprey comes in to land next to soldiers from Japans 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade during an exercise with the U.S. 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Gotemba, Japan on March 15, 2022. Carl Court/Getty Images

Japanese and U.S. Marines conducted their first airborne landing and combat drills together on Tuesday, indicating a deepening of military cooperation in the wake of increased military assertiveness by China and Russia.

The drills held near Mount Fuji were part of a three-week joint exercise, which involved about 400 troops from Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Development Brigade and 600 troops from the U.S. Marines based in Okinawa. Tilt-rotor Ospreys transported the brigade during the drills.