Around 2,400 soldiers, as well as tanks, field guns and helicopters were deployed at training grounds in the foothills of the iconic mountain, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Tokyo. Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces armoured vehicles move during an annual live-fire exercise at the Higashi-Fuji firing range in Gotemba, at the foot of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture on August 24, 2017. Japan has in the past vowed to shoot down North Korean missiles or rockets that threaten to hit its territory. Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)'s members descend from a Chinook helicopter during a live-firing drill at Higashi Fuji training grounds in Gotenba, central Japan, 24 August 2017. // EPA PHOTOJapan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) armored vehicles fire flares to make a smoke screen during a live-firing drill at Higashi Fuji training grounds in Gotenba, central Japan, 24 August 2017.// AFP PHOTOA Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)'s vehicle fires during a live-firing drill at Higashi Fuji training grounds in Gotenba, central Japan, 24 August 2017.

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 24, 2017 08:26 UTC