Japanese and U.S. military forces launched one of their largest joint training operations on Monday, marking the start of the biennial Keen Sword 27 exercises. The drills, which are scheduled to continue through Oct. 29, place a heavy emphasis on defending Japan's southwestern islands and northern coastal waters. Approximately 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 American service members are participating in the maneuvers.
The exercise involves seven additional nations from the Indo-Pacific and Europe, with France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines taking part for the first time, according to Japan's Joint Staff. The training scope covers a wide array of tactical scenarios, including amphibious landings, air and missile defense, mine sweeping, intelligence gathering, logistics, resupply operations, and casualty evacuation across remote locations such as Tanegashima.
Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island situated just 110 kilometers (68 miles) east of Taiwan, serves as a primary hub for the exercises. For the first time, the Japanese Self-Defense Force has deployed its first long-range Type-25 land-to-ship missile to Yonaguni, though no live-fire tests are planned for this specific weapon. The missile, which possesses a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), is capable of reaching mainland China. Additionally, the U.S. ground-based offensive anti-ship missile system NMESIS and the short-range surface-to-air system MADIS are deployed to Yonaguni for the first time. A mobile rocket launching system, HIMARS, has been deployed on the nearby island of Ishigaki.
Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, denied that the exercises target a specific country. On Ishigaki, Adm. Tateki Tawara of the Maritime Self-Defense Force emphasized the defensive nature of the mission, stating that the goal is to protect the peaceful lives of citizens. He added that full preparation and cooperation with allies and partners remain essential to prevent crises.
The exercises coincide with a period of heightened regional tension involving China, North Korea, and Russia. Japan has increasingly fortified its southwestern region with long-range missiles and interceptors in recent years in response to what it views as a growing military threat from China. Meanwhile, Japanese and U.S. troops were scheduled to conduct live-fire exercises on Monday on the uninhabited island of Oki-Daito, located 500 kilometers (310 miles) southeast of Okinawa.
The current exercises also occur under sensitive conditions, including recent diplomatic friction with China following comments made a year ago by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, and the recent arrest of a U.S. Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case on Okinawa. Following the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt at the Yokosuka base last week, local mayor Katsuaki Kamiji requested that the Japanese Foreign Ministry ensure U.S. personnel adhere strictly to local regulations.
