A total of nine Japanese and U.S. fighter jets and U.S. bombers conducted a joint exercise over the Sea of Japan on Sunday, according to the Defense Ministry.
The two countries conducted the drill in response to North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile Saturday, with the aim of confirming their readiness to deal with similar launches and demonstrating their deterrent and response capabilities to Pyongyang.
Three Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets, four U.S. military F-16 fighter jets and two B-1B strategic bombers participated in the exercise.