Japan to hold naval drills in East China Sea

TOKYO (BNS): Japan will hold a naval drill involving US warships in the East China Sea on Monday, the Defence Ministry has said.

The exercise to be held to the west of the Kyushu Island will involve USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), a US Navy Nimitz class super carrier capable of carrying 90 fighter jets and helicopters, and US destroyers, it said.

According to media reports, the drills are aimed at deterring possible naval operations by North Korea and China.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following the shelling of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island by the North in November last year.