Japan-U.S. , Bolster Military Cooperation , Amid Heightened Tension.br On March 15, Japanese and United States br Marines held their first combat drills together br to strengthen the allies' military cooperation. .br ABC reports that 400 troops from Japan's Amphibious br Rapid Deployment Brigade and 600 U.S. Marines based out of br Japan's southern island of Okinawa participated in the drills.br ABC reports that 400 troops from Japan's Amphibious br Rapid Deployment Brigade and 600 U.S. Marines based out of br Japan's southern island of Okinawa participated in the drills.br The airborne landing and combat operations br were based on a scenario of an enemy br invasion of a Japanese island. .br The drills were reportedly part of a three-week br joint exercise meant to strengthen the allies br deterrence and response capabilities. .br The drills were reportedly part of a three-week br joint exercise meant to strengthen the allies br deterrence and response capabilities. .br We are committed to securing br the peace and stability in the region br through Japan-U.S. joint responses. br Any potential adversary will see thisbr as our actual capability, not just words, Col. Masashi Hiraki, commander of Japan's First Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, via ABC.br Japan, together with the U.S. Marines, br have the will and ability to defend the region, br and I expect this to provide deterrence, Col. Masashi Hiraki, commander of Japan's First Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, via ABC.br ABC reports that Japan has bolstered its defense budget and capabilities for nearly a decade. .br Now, the island nation is revising br its national security strategy amid threats br from China, North Korea and Russia. .br Now, the island nation is revising br its national security strategy amid threats br from China, North Korea and Russia. .br Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has reported multiple recent sightings of Russian warships around Japan's northern islands. .br Russia's military has been br escalating abnormal naval drills br in areas including the Okhotsk br in sync with their invasion of Ukraine.