Tokyo: To counter China’s aggressiveness in the East China Sea, the United States and Japanese governments are planning to conduct large-scale joint drills to protect the Senkaku Islands. Under the plan, Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces would join the US Marines and Air Force in an exercise to defend the Japanese-administered Senkakus, which are claimed by China as Diaoyu, Nikkei Asia reported. Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi stressed the need for joint drills during a TV program aired on Friday in local media. “We need to improve our capability through joint drills and demonstrate our presence,” he said.