US warship in west Pacific for Japan navy drills: Tokyo

The US supercarrier Carl Vinson started joint exercises with Japan's navy on Sunday, Tokyo's defence ministry said, as the warship passes through the western Pacific after days of contention over its whereabouts. The strike group is in the region as tensions spike over North Korea's rogue arms programme and concerns that Pyongyang is planning a sixth nuclear test as it pursues its goal of a weapon capable of reaching the US mainland. The Carl Vinson drills are expected to last several days and involve two Japanese warships, Japan's defence ministry said. It is the third time the Japanese navy has held exercises with Carl Vinson after two such drills in March. Washington has sought to clarify the aircraft carrier's whereabouts in recent days after President Donald Trump suggested it was steaming towards North Korea when in fact it was sent towards Australia. US Vice-President Mike Pence on Saturday said it would soon arrive in the Sea of Japan, days after vowing an "overwhelming and effective" response to any North Korean attack.