Japan and the US will hold their biggest ever joint military drills from December 3rd to 10th. The exercise aims to demonstrate solidarity with Seoul, as the Pacific allies have invited for the first time, South Korea military officers to observe the drills.

But the details of the observers and timetable has not been released. Around 34,000 Japanese military personnel will join more than 10,000 US troops in the drill in Japanese waters off its southern islands.