Japan: US-Japan joint military exercise 'Forest Light' kicks off in Kumamoto

W/S Colonel Robert B. Brodie and Colonel Kouki Watanabe giving salute at ceremony marking start of US-Japan joint drills in Kumamoto
M/S Brodie and Watanabe saluting
W/S Officers completing flags ceremony
SOT, Robert B. Brodie, Commanding Office 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit: "Konichiwa, ladies and gentleman, Marines, JGSDF service members and my partner Colonel Watanabe, it is an honour to be here in recognition the start of the bilateral Forest Light with the Western Army, with the 12th infantry Regiment and the 8th Division - the Rapid Deployment Division - we will further deepen our Japan-United States alliances."
M/S Soldiers
SOT, Robert B. Brodie, Commanding Office 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit: "Marines remain proud and always faithful to the strengths of our alliance. We together guarantee peace, stability and security across the Indo-Asia Pacific region and here in Japan."
W/S Brodie and Watanabe with journalists
W/S Journalists takings photographs of Brodie and Watanabe in front of Osprey
M/S Brodie and Watanabe shaking hands
W/S Soldiers standing in ranks with Osprey in background
SCRIPT
US Marines and Japanese army personnel began joint drills in Japan's Southern Kumamoto prefecture on Saturday, with a flag ceremony and speeches from officers.
The 'Forest Light' exercise, which lasts from January 18 to 31, will see troops from both nations taking part infantry skills training as well as simulated airborne assaults utilising the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor craft.
The US military presence in Japan exceeds 100,000 troops, with about half of the soldiers residing in Okinawa, according to US Forces Japan.