TOKYO, May 9 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Aegis-equipped destroyer will participate a U.S. anti-ballistic missile test off Hawaii, possibly next month, Kyodo News said Tuesday, citing Japan's naval forces.

    This would be the first time for a Japanese Aegis destroyer to take part in such a test, according to the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF).

    During the exercise, the 7,250-ton destroyer Kirishima will track a mock ballistic missile using its radar, while a U.S. Navy Aegis destroyer tries to intercept the incoming missile with a conventional Standard Missile-3 interceptor, the MSDF said.

    The joint test is aimed to enhance information sharing between Japan and the United States under an ongoing joint missile defense project, said the report.

    Japan and the United States started jointly researching ballistic missile defense technology in 1999. The missile-defence project has become an important part in their military alliance in recent years.

    Around two months ago, the two allies successfully carried out their first test for the upgraded version of the Standard Missile-3 interceptor tipped with a Japanese-designed nose cone. Enditem