Japan, U.S. and France conduct first carrier drill off Philippines

TOKYO — Aircraft carriers from Japan, the U.S. and France are conducting joint drills for the first time off the Philippine coast through Tuesday, part of an effort to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region with an eye on China and Russia.

The USS Carl Vinson and France’s Charles de Gaulle — both nuclear-powered vessels — will join the JS Kaga helicopter carrier, which is being converted to allow fighter jets to take off and land on it.