Asia

Japan Breaks From Military Tradition To Protect American Ship

Japan's largest warship is escorting a U.S. resupply ship headed toward the Korean Peninsula.

Japan Breaks From Military Tradition To Protect American Ship
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Japan is lending a hand to the U.S. Navy as it tries to pressure North Korea.  

The Japanese navy is sending its largest warship, the Izumo, to escort a U.S. supply ship heading toward the Korean Peninsula. That U.S. ship is refueling a fleet in the area.

The Izumo is only protecting the American ship within Japanese waters, but it's still a big break from tradition for the nation's military. 

How World Leaders Are Responding To North Korean Aggression
How World Leaders Are Responding To North Korean Aggression

How World Leaders Are Responding To North Korean Aggression

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Since the end of WWII, Japan has only been able to act in self-defense. This is the first military movement under a new Japanese law that allows its ships to come to the defense of an ally that's protecting Japan. 

American ships were sent to the Korean Peninsula to act as a deterrent. But the North launched another failed ballistic missile test on Saturday –– its fourth since March. 

Japan's prime minister called the latest missile launch a "grave threat" to his country.