self-defense forces vessel. they provided first aid which included the use of oxygen masks. the drill is part of the rim xef exercise pacific exercise which happens every two years. rimpac began in 1971. the united states have been recently placing importance on humanitarian aid and disaster relief to encourage more nations to take part. a record 22 countries are participating this year. new additions include russia and india. china wasn t invited. analysts say the u.s. intends to use rimpac as one way to keep china s activities in the asia-pacific region in check. japan and u.s. forces are also preparing against a large-scale disaster that experts say could hit tokyo at any time. mitsuko nishikawa tells us more. reporter: this is what tokyo would look like if it was hit directly by a massive earthquake. reporter: it s the kind of situation today s joint drill was meant to address. the 5,000 participants focused on improving coordination during disaster relief operation
reporter: it has been over a year since assad s government began a fierce crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. the security council adopted a unanimous statement on the issue on wednesday. the security council expresses its full support for the efforts of the envoy. reporter: the statement urges assad s government for a limited cease fire. it also demands it halts the use of heavy weapons. the united states and european countries have signed a legally binding resolution. but it was vetoes. endorsed this time because it frames from calling on assad to step down. we re very pleased that the security council has chosen to take a look at the situation in syria. reporter: i think it s a product of a concern in russia about being isolated in the world community. an earlier vote on the general assembly was quite lopsided. criticism of the assad regime. but fundamentally i don t see great change in russia s concern. reporter: the move comes as a violent crackdown on civ
13rsy a sou kea presidt. the u.s. free trade agreement with south ff early as next january. the move could bst jan s chief export competitor in asia. how will the fta benefit the u.s. and southkoa? a 2.5% tariff now imposed on n u.s. will be eliminated within five yes. ut korean import duties on american beef and pork removed after a certain period of time. this is a tvom ms in south korea. the ad is sponsored by the sore gerenthcotrisroti free trade under the strong leadership of president lee myung-bak. translator: our country needs to expd toheor ony. the fta is a core national strategy. with trade accounting for nearly half thor s gd t psintas song belief that going overseas is the only path for further development. japan, on the other hand, only began preliminy lkwi t eun y r an economic partnershiagreem japan is lagging far behind its neighbor in terms of free trade. jane bins ads e concerned that the u.s./south korean trade pact could erode the competitiveness