S/ Sasaki Emi, Nippon TV Reporter / The South Korean ship is visible in the waters. Based on information that four people were rescued, the Japan Coast Guard's ship is heading to the site.

The coast guards of Japan, the United States and South Korea held their first trilateral training on June 6.

The drill in waters off the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture was based on the scenario that two cargo ships collided with each other and fire broke out.

Participants acted out tasks including sharing information, deciding on the search area and transporting rescued people by a U.S. helicopter to Japanese and South Korean boats.

Prior to the training, the three coast guards inspected each other's ships.

S/ Korea Coast Guard crew member / How many people can ride on the lifeboat?

S/ Japan Coast Guard crew member / It depends on the navigation area, but the maximum is 10.

The U.S. Coast Guard vessel came with a helicopter and drone on board.

S/ U.S. Coast Guard crew member / It's good to be able to understand what we each have so that we can work together for search and rescue to help people.

The three countries aim to reinforce cooperation through exchanges like this.

S/ Rear Adm. Hisada Takahiro, Commander, 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters / It was very meaningful in the three countries' efforts to consider helping to improve coast guard capabilities in countries in the Asia-Pacific.

In May, the Japan Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard signed a document that calls for strengthening trilateral cooperation.

They pledged to assist Southeast Asian countries and Pacific island nations in dealing with search and rescue activities and illegal fishing.

The move is believed to have potential threats from countries like China in mind.

After the trilateral training, a Japanese official said the three sides were able to perform accurate information sharing, which is important in cooperating with foreign organizations.

The official said the three countries will continue similar training in the future.