Amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and the United States have commenced significant joint military exercises focusing on the defense of Japan’s southwestern islands. Known as Keen Sword 27, this biennial exercise involves approximately 45,000 Japanese personnel and 12,000 US service members. The drills, scheduled to run through October 29, also include participation from seven other countries, such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines, which are joining for the first time.
The exercises cover a wide range of military operations, including amphibious landings, air and missile defense, mine-clearing operations, intelligence gathering, logistics, resupply, and casualty evacuation. Activities are occurring on remote islands like Tanegashima, Yonaguni, and Ishigaki. Notably, Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island located about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan, has strategic importance due to its proximity to Taiwan amid regional security concerns.
During the exercises, Japan has deployed its Type-25 land-to-ship missile system on Yonaguni for the first time, although no test-firing is planned. The missile boasts an estimated range of 1,000 kilometers. Additionally, the US military has brought in systems such as the NMESIS anti-ship missile system and the MADIS short-range air defense system, alongside the HIMARS mobile rocket launcher on nearby Ishigaki. Live-fire exercises are also scheduled at a Pacific Ocean training site.
Japanese officials emphasize that these exercises are not directed against any specific country. Instead, they underscore the necessity of military preparedness and collaboration with allies to safeguard national territory and maintain regional stability. The drills occur against a backdrop of strained relations between Japan and China, fueled by disagreements over Taiwan and China’s expanding military activities in the region.
The joint military activities underscore the increasing importance of defense cooperation between Japan and the United States as both nations seek to bolster readiness and address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. While the exercises highlight military collaboration, they also take place amid a public debate in Japan concerning the presence of US military bases, particularly on Okinawa, where residents have voiced concerns about noise, pollution, and criminal incidents.