FA-18 air fighters prepare to take off on the US carrier George Washington in the Pacific near Minamidaito Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, December 9, 2010, during a joint drill with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.[Photo/Agencies]

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force members (L) chat with their counterparts from the US Navy (C) on the MSDF helicopter carrier Hyuga in the Pacific near Minamidaito Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, December 9, 2010, during a joint drill with the US military.[Photo/Agencies]