Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A demonstration took place near the American Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday against upcoming military exercises involving the Japanese navy, the South Korean army, and the American forces.

Those opposed to the Freedom Shield military exercise, which will take place for 11 days from March 4, fear it may aggravate tensions between the different parties and North Korea.

American forces in Korea said the exercises will serve to prevent any attack on South Korean territory.

During these exercises, which will be carried out under the command of the United States, computer simulations of nuclear attacks are planned. In their statement, the demonstrators denounced the exercises, which are targeted at North Korea and are seen as a provocation. 

While opposing the exercises, the demonstrators also demanded the withdrawal of American military bases from Japan. 

In addition to the Freedom Shield exercise, other exercises, such as the Warriors Shield exercise, aim to combine different military domains with air, land, maritime, space, cyber, and special operations to improve procedures and tactics.

At the same time as Freedom Shield, the largest exercise of NATO Forces is also taking place in Europe on the borders of the Russian Federation.