Japan refuelling U.S. missile defence ships keeping watch on North Korean threat - source

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's navy is supplying fuel to U.S. ballistic missile defence (BMD) ships in the Sea of Japan, in a sign of deepening co-operation between the allies amid the growing threat from North Korea, a source said.

By providing fuel to the U.S. Aegis destroyers as well as its own BMD ships, Japan hopes to ensure patrols can be maintained without unnecessary gaps, said the source, who has knowledge of the operation.