Japan's military begins major exercise with U.S. carriers

USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier, leaves from its home port to be deployed in waters near Japan, in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo May 16, 2017. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan on Thursday adding pressure on North Korea to halt an accelerating ballistic missile programme.

Japan's Maritime Self Defence Force has sent two ships, including one of its four helicopter carriers, the Hyuga, to join the U.S carriers, the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Carl Vinson, and their eight escort ships, Japan's military said in a release.