Japan ground forces hold annual military exercise

Tanks fire rounds during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

Tanks fire rounds during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

A rocket is fired from a troop carrier during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

A tank fires during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

Tanks fire rounds during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

Tanks travel during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

A helicopter delivers soldiers during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan.at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

A soldier takes part in a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.

Tanks fire rounds during a live fire exercise by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF) at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 21, 2008 in Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. Around 2,000 JGSDF personnel, 60 tanks and 20 aircraft took part in the drill and demonstrated their military power in front of thousands of spectators.