The U.S. aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and other U.S. warships have been deployed in waters around Japan, and part of the strike group will conduct a joint exercise this week with the Maritime Self-Defense Force, U.S. Navy and other sources said.
The nuclear-powered carrier, whose home port is in California, has been deployed in the area since December, according to the sources.
They said the U.S. Navy and MSDF will conduct their exercise in the East China Sea west of Kyushu around Monday.
The exercise is expected to include communications drills as well as helicopter takeoffs and landings on each other's vessels.
The George Washington, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, has been undergoing regular maintenance. The Carl Vinson is believed to have taken its place.
After the drill, the carrier will make a port call at Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday.