Japan's Tokyo Shimbun daily says the joint military drills between the U.S. and Japan are under way under the scenario that sudden changes occur on the Korean Peninsula.

The paper on Thursday reported that for an exercise to counter an enemy's ballistic missile attack, Japan's Aegis destroyer deployed in waters off the Noto Peninsula in central Japan is training to intercept the missiles. In addition, the drills reportedly include the firing of the Patriot Advanced Capability Three (PAC3) missiles.

The newspaper also said that security and guard drills are under way at the Misawa and Sasebo military bases in Japan at the request of Washington, which the paper says is seen as an exercise to evacuate about 100-thousand Americans staying in South Korea in case of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, Japan's Defense Ministry explained that the drills are not based on a scenario involving a certain country's attack.