Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono parachutes modeled for soldiers during a joint training session with the US military.

Photos posted by Japanese media showed Minister Kono in a military uniform, wearing an umbrella on his back, climbing the 11-meter-high tower and jumping down from the top of the tower.

Kono's parachute jump took place during an annual training course called "Start of Descent Training" of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US Army from January 12 at the Narashino military training ground.

This training simulated how the Japanese and American forces responded to the enemy landing on remote islands.

Minister Kono later told reporters that the security environment in Northeast Asia was very "harsh" and that protecting the island was a crucial task for Japan, a country with many remote territories. He also expressed hope that joint exercises and training with the US will help improve the efficiency and deterrence capabilities of the alliance.