US and Japan Launch Large-Scale Joint Military Drills Amid Regional Tensions

Japanese and U.S. troops commenced Keen Sword 27 on Monday, one of their largest joint exercises to date, with a strategic focus on defending Japan's southwestern islands and waters. The biennial drills, which run through October 29, involve about 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 American service members, and aim to showcase advanced weapons systems amid escalating regional tensions.

This year's exercise includes seven other nations from the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, with France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines participating for the first time. The drills encompass a range of activities, including amphibious landings, air and missile defense, mine sweeping, intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply, and casualty evacuation. A key location for the exercises is Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island situated just 110 kilometers (68 miles) east of Taiwan.

Japan has recently fortified its southwestern region with longer-range missiles and interceptors, viewing China's rapidly expanding military activities in and around Japanese territory as a significant threat. During Keen Sword 27, Japan's Self-Defense Force is deploying its first long-range Type-25 land-to-ship missile on Yonaguni, capable of reaching mainland China, though no test firings are planned. The U.S. has also deployed its NMESIS ground-based offensive anti-ship missile system and MADIS short-range surface-to-air system to Yonaguni for the first time. Additionally, the U.S. mobile rocket launching system, HIMARS, has been stationed on the nearby island of Ishigaki.

Despite the focus on defensive capabilities and regional security, Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, Chief of Staff of Japan's Joint Staff, stated that the exercises are not targeting any specific country. Adm. Tateki Tawara of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force emphasized the goal of defending not only territory but also the peaceful lives of citizens, underscoring the necessity of preparedness and allied cooperation to prevent crises.

Live fire exercises are scheduled to take place at a firing range on Oki-Daito, a small uninhabited island southeast of Okinawa. The drills occur at a sensitive time, following recent diplomatic strains between Japan and China and a U.S. Marine's arrest in connection with a murder on Okinawa, which has reignited anti-U.S. base sentiment on the island. The presence of U.S. military assets, including the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, has also prompted local officials to request strict adherence to Japanese rules by U.S. military personnel.