What is the name of the joint military exercise being conducted between the Japanese and United States armed forces in northern Japan?

Introduction / Context:
Joint military exercises help countries improve interoperability, share tactics, and strengthen strategic partnerships. The United States and Japan, as close allies, regularly conduct such drills. Each exercise is given a specific codename. This question asks you to recall the name of the exercise conducted between Japanese and US forces in northern Japan.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The participants are the Japanese Self Defense Forces and the United States armed forces.
• The exercise location is northern Japan.
• The options are four different exercise names: Northern Viper, Rimpac, Indra, and Valiant Shield.
• We assume the question refers to the exercise reported in recent defence news.

Concept / Approach:
“Northern Viper” is the name of a bilateral exercise conducted between the United States and Japan in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Rimpac is a large multilateral naval exercise held around Hawaii; Indra is a joint exercise between India and Russia; and Valiant Shield involves US forces in the Pacific. Knowing the specific country pair and region allows you to narrow down the correct name.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the countries: Japan and the United States. Step 2: Recall which of the listed exercises is associated specifically with US Japan drills in northern Japan. Step 3: Recognise that “Northern Viper” is the exercise that matches this description. Step 4: Select “Northern Viper” as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by matching each exercise to its usual participants: Rimpac (US led, many Pacific navies), Indra (India Russia), Valiant Shield (US joint forces), and Northern Viper (US Japan in Hokkaido). This mapping confirms that only Northern Viper fits the description given in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Rimpac: A large multilateral naval exercise headquartered in Hawaii, not a specific bilateral drill in northern Japan.
• Indra: A joint exercise between India and Russia, unrelated to Japan.
• Valiant Shield: A US only exercise involving joint forces, not a bilateral exercise with Japan.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many exercise names sound similar, candidates often confuse them, especially when they share themes like “shield”, “viper”, or “surya”. To avoid this, keep a dedicated list of joint exercises in your notes, grouped by country pair. Regular revision will make it easier to recall the correct name under exam pressure.

Final Answer:
The joint military exercise conducted between the Japanese and US militaries in northern Japan is called Northern Viper.