Japan highlights Osprey role as U.S. joint island defense drill wraps up

NAHA, Japan - Japan's top Ground Self-Defense Force commander in the southwest said Tuesday expanding V-22 Osprey transport aircraft training will strengthen the emergency response on remote islands, as the GSDF and U.S. Marines wrapped up their annual Resolute Dragon exercise amid rising tensions in East Asia.

"Steady, routine training with the Osprey will lead to a force capable of responding reliably to disasters on remote islands," Lt. Gen. Seiji Toriumi, commander of the GSDF's Western Army, told a joint news conference at Camp Hansen on Okinawa after the 11-day exercise concluded.