Sabre exercise kicks off with US, Japan

The largest biennial defence training activity with the United States has kicked off, with the operation this year including Japan and New Zealand.

Australia's largest combined military exercise with the US, Japan and New Zealand has kicked off. (AAP)

Australia's largest combined military exercise with the United States has kicked off - this time with Japan participating.

The biennial training activity, Talisman Sabre, which begins on Sunday, involves up to 30,000 US and Australian defence staff.

About 40 members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces will join the Americans and a contingent of 500 New Zealand defence staff teaming up with their Australian colleagues.

This year's exercise, which focuses on the planning and conduct of mid-intensity and "high-end" war fighting, is taking place near Rockhampton in Queensland, and at Fog Bay, south west of Darwin.