Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the British Army are conducting a joint exercise simulating remote island defense.

The first joint drills in four years are being held until November 30th in Gunma Prefecture northwest of Tokyo.

Gunma is a land locked prefecture, but two of the Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's helicopters landed at the drill ground, which is set up to resemble a remote island.

Members of media were invited to observe part of the drills on Saturday.

Personnel from the two countries practiced procedures for defending remote islands.

The UK positioned the Indo-Pacific as an important region in its diplomatic and security policy issued last year.

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak agreed during telephone talks on November 4 to push forward with an agreement to hold a joint exercise between Japan's SDF and the British military.

GSDF officials said that as both countries are island countries it is very meaningful to jointly enhance their operational abilities.