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Military
Japanese Forces Conducts Live Drill to ``Clear Occupied Area at Foot of Mt. Fuji``
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tokyo- (PanOrient News) The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force conducted its annual live-fire drill at the foot of Mt. Fuji on Sunday, mobilizing 2,400 personnel and firing about 40 tons of ammunitions, including tank and artillery shells.
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa attended the drill that was conducted at the Higashi Fuji Maneuver Area near Gotenba city, Shizuoka prefecture, southwest of Tokyo. The drill involved a scenario of GDSF tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters being sent to take back an area occupied by enemy troops.
The drill, which reportedly cost about US$ 4 million, was watched by 24,000 spectators, including special guests from areas damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, representatives of U.S. Army in Japan, and Japanese and international media.
Some 80 tanks and other vehicles, 80 artillery guns and 30 aircraft, including helicopters, took part in the drill.
The exercises included a barrage of ''attacks'' using missiles and shells and the clearing of minefields with explosives. It also involved landing of special forces and their cars and motorcycles brought by air to free the "occupied area."
PanOrient News
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