TOKYO, October 17. /TASS/. Japan’s Defense Ministry has requested that the presence of US military personnel outside their facilities be minimized during the large-scale joint drills Keen Sword, which will begin on October 19, according to Kyodo news agency.

It said the request was submitted to the commander of the US armed forces in Japan Lieutenant General Stephen Jost. This demand is linked to the recent arrest of an American marine on Okinawa Island on charges of murder and robbery of a local resident.

As noted, during the exercises, the US military will be stationed primarily at Japanese army facilities. At the same time, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Japanese army General Hiroaki Uchikura told reporters earlier that the Keen Sword maneuvers would be conducted without any connection to the murder in Okinawa.

By October 29, 45,000 soldiers and officers from Japan and about 12,000 from the US will be involved in these exercises. It is planned that up to 300 aircraft will participate, using multiple rocket launchers and the latest Japanese and American missile systems. The participation of units from seven more countries, including Australia, Germany, and France, is expected. The Keen Sword maneuvers are held every two years, alternating with the US·Japan command and staff exercises Keen Edge.