Japanese SDF equipment

Japanese SDF equipment

File photo taken Nov. 19, 2023, shows Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Assault Amphibious Vehicle 7s (AAV7) on a beach on Tokunoshima Island in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima.

Japan-U.S. joint drill in southwestern Japan

Japan-U.S. joint drill in southwestern Japan

A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force AAV7 amphibious vehicle takes part in a joint drill with the U.S. Marine Corps at an exercise ground in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Oita on Feb. 18, 2023. The drill, taking place from Feb. 16 to March 12, is designed to train for the defense of Japan's remote islands.

Japan's army displays amphibious vehicle

Japan's army displays amphibious vehicle

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese Ground-Self Defense Force displays the AAV7 amphibious vehicle at Camp Kasumigaura in Ibaraki Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on April 16, 2014.

GSDF amphibious unit, U.S. Marines conduct drill near Mt. Fuji

GSDF amphibious unit, U.S. Marines conduct drill near Mt. Fuji

Four Japan Ground Self-Defense Force AAV7 amphibious vehicles take part in shooting practice during a joint amphibious exercise between the GSDF amphibious rapid deployment unit and the U.S. Marine Corps at the GSDF's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on March 23, 2022. The shooting practice of the GSDF unit specializing in the defense of Japan's remote islands was open to the media.

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

Japanese Ground Self-Defense members get out of a U.S. Marine Corps AAV7 Armored Personnel Vehicle to land on a beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California, on Feb. 21, 2015, during a joint landing exercise. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

Japanese Ground Self-Defense members take positions after landing on a beach at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California, by U.S. Marine Corps AAV7 Armored Personnel Vehicle during a joint landing exercise on Feb. 21, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

U.S. Marine Corps AAV7 Armored Personnel Vehicles carrying Japanese Ground Self-Defense members land on a beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California, on Feb. 21, 2015, during a joint landing exercise. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

Japan, U.S. joint landing drill at Camp Pendleton

U.S. Marine Corps AAV7 Armored Personnel Vehicles carrying Japanese Ground Self-Defense members move on a beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California, on Feb. 21, 2015, during a joint landing exercise. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Landing exercise by GSDF

Landing exercise by GSDF

Assault amphibious vehicle AAV7 comes ashore on a beach on Tanegashima Island in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima during a landing exercise by Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force on Nov. 14, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo