The exercise, which will be the first large-scale exercise in Japan involving ground troops from all three countries, is going to run from May 11 to 17.

Kishi noted that France is the only country in Europe with a permanent military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

He also added that Japan would like to further improve the tactics and skills of the Self-Defense Forces in defending remote island territories by strengthening cooperation between the three countries. (ILKHA)