Japan, US Carry Out Joint Aviation Drills After N. Korea's Missile Test

Japan and the United States held joint aviation drills as a response to the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile carried out by North Korea, Fumio Kishida, Japanese Defense and Foreign Minister, told reporters on Sunday, Sputnik reported.

"Under the current security conditions after the July 28 North Korean missile launch, we significantly boosted the deterrence and counteracting potential of the Japanese-US alliance as well as showed the high level of our country's willingness and readiness to stabilize the situation in the region," Kishida said.

The minister added that two US B-1 bombers and two Japanese F-2 fighters took part in the drills. The jets flew from from the Southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu to the Korean peninsula. Having reached the peninsula, the Japanese planes returned home while the US bombers continued their flights along with the South Korean partners.

North Korea announced on Saturday that Pyongyang had conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that proved its ability to strike all of America's mainland.

The White House announced on Friday that US President intends to sign a bill that imposes sanctions on Iran, Russian and North Korea.

"President Donald J Trump read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement, The Guardian reported.

"He has now reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it,” she added.

The legislation, which was sent to the White House on Friday, would impose new sanctions against Russia while limiting Trump's ability to independently relax penalties against Moscow.

The bill, which had passed both houses of Congress with veto-proof majorities, also includes new sanctions against Iran and North Korea.