South Korea and China are not participating in a multinational maritime drill intended to intercept weapons of mass destruction on high seas.

Japan, the United States, Australia and France will take part in two days of joint exercises starting on November 25th in waters southwest of Tokyo.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said Monday that some ten naval and coast guard vessels from the four countries and observers from 18 other nations will take part in the drill off Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, despite concerns that it could provoke North Korea.

The ministry said it would be the first time for an Asian country to host a drill under the Proliferation Security Initiative, formed last May at the behest of U.S. President George W. Bush.

The PSI has 15 core member countries that have held similar exercises 11 times since September last year.

South Korea and China did not give reasons for not joining the exercises, but Japanese media speculated the two countries decided not to participate after North Korea criticized the exercise as "provocative."