Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Marine Corps are conducting joint exercises. The drills are meant to bolster the defense of remote southwestern Japanese islands.
The media were invited on Saturday to observe a portion of an exercise.
Around 400 personnel took part at the US military's Blue Beach training area in the town of Kin in Okinawa Prefecture. The participants simulated retaking an occupied remote island.
Members of the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and US Marines went ashore from reconnaissance boats followed by Japanese and US landing crafts. One US Marine officer said through their combined capabilities, they provide deterrence to all of threats in this region.
Exercises are most effective when they are conducted by the forces most likely to operate together in the areas where they are most likely to operate.
Strengthening the defense capabilities of remote islands is an urgent issue, as such capabilities will deter others from invading the islands and prevent a war from occurring.
This is the third consecutive year that the annual Iron Fist Joint drills have been held in the Kyushu and Okinawa regions. The drills that began on February 19 are the largest to date, involving about 4,000 personnel, the exercises. End on March 7.
Sources say a Japanese Maritime self-defense Force destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait for a second time. They say the destroyer Akizuki passed through the Strait in early February. It traveled from north to South. China has protested every time a Western warship passes through the area, but the United States and other parties say the Taiwan Strait is in international waters and open to all naval vessels. The Japanese ship's transit seems to be aimed at underscoring the principle of freedom of navigation. A maritime self-defense force destroyer sailed through the strait for the first time in September of last year.
Firefighters are struggling to contain blazes in the forest around the city of Ofunato in northeastern Japan.
Officials say around 1,800 hectares have been damaged in the country's worst wildfire in over three decades. The officials say an area of 400 hectares was burned in the 24 hours through Sunday morning. The fires are being battled from the air and the ground as smoke blows towards residential areas.
Japan's self-defense forces have helicopters at the scene. On Thursday, a body believed to be that of a man was found. Over 80 buildings have been damaged.
We are concerned about the spread of the fires. We believe in the power of firefighting from the air and the ground. We'll try to put out the blazes.
More than 1,200 local residents have taken shelter in facilities. A full assessment of the destruction is expected to take time.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainians count on Britain's support, and he is very happy to have such partners and friends. The British government says it will provide Ukraine with additional financing. Using frozen Russian assets amounting to about $2.8 billion, Zelenskyy is scheduled to take part in the summit of European leaders on Sunday. This follows A heated argument during Friday's talk with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump and Zelenskyy had been scheduled to discuss a planned agreement on developing Ukraine's natural resources, but the two leaders verbally sparred over diplomacy toward Russia and a ceasefire in Ukraine. They failed to sign any deal. Zelenskyy said afterward, Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. He added, It's crucial for us to have President Trump's support.
German Foreign Minister Annelena Baerbog hasher concerns about the future of Ukraine and Europe's security.
Last night underlined that a new era of profanity has begun, a heinous time in which we must defend the rules-based international order and the strength of the law more than ever against the might of the strongest.
She asked the German parliament to release over $3 billion of additional aid to Kiev. Meanwhile, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban is reportedly urging the European Council President to follow the US example. Orban has a close relationship with Trump and has opposed the EU's support for Ukraine.
Reports say Orban said the EU should enter into direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire and sustainable peace in Ukraine.
Israel and the Islamic group Hamas remain at odds over moving on to the second phase of the Gaza cease-fire. The six week first phase came to a close on Saturday. The second phase would see the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip with the aim of bringing fighting to a permanent end. Hamas wants an immediate transition to the second phase, but Israel is reluctant, saying that withdrawing its military would allow Hamas to rearm itself. Israel wants to extend the first phase by another six weeks to allow for the release of more hostages. The ceasefire will likely be maintained, while negotiators and mediators continue to talk intermittently. But in Israel, there are reportedly strong calls to resume fighting. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa visited Egypt on Saturday and met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelati. The two officials discussed a plan to rebuild Gaza without the displacement of Palestinians. The plan is expected to be presented Tuesday at a summit of the League of Arab States.
Earlier, US President Trump proposed that the United States own Gaza and its residents be moved elsewhere.
A Kurdish militant group fighting for independence from Turkey has declared a ceasefire accepting its jailed leader's call to disarm and disband.
The Kurdistan Workers Party, also known as the PKK, has been fighting the Turkish government since 1984. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government and others. The group's leader, Abdullah Ozhalan, has been imprisoned in Turkey for 26 years. He relayed through associates on Thursday that all groups must lay down their weapons and the PKK must disband. The PKK responded on Saturday, saying through a media outlet close to it that the group would heed its leader's call and halt all hostilities immediately unless attacked. Last October, there was an alleged terrorist incident in the suburbs of the Turkish capital, Ankara. The Turkish military retaliated with attacks on Kurdish militant positions in northern Syria and northern Iraq. If the ceasefire is implemented, it would be a major turning point in the armed conflict of over 40 years. But local reactions to the ceasefire declaration are mixed.
It is a good thing. We found it valuable. We hope this allows us rest and peace. We want peace and calm.
I guess it's still good, but I don't think there will be any lasting solution.
Those were the main stories for this hour.
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And that's the news this hour. I'm Gene Otani from all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world. Thanks very much for joining us.
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