NUMAZU BEACH, Japan (March 9, 2022) U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct a beach landing in a landing craft, utility (LCU) on Numazu Beach, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, March 9, 2022. Distinguished visitors and Japanese media were invited to Numazu Beach to demonstrate how the Marine Corps works in conjunction with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF). Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB) is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)