Amid escalating regional tensions, Japan and the United States have commenced extensive joint military exercises aimed at enhancing the defense of Japan’s southwestern islands and improving coordination between their military forces. These biennial drills, known as Keen Sword 27, involve around 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 U.S. service members. Participants also include seven countries from the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines, marking their debut in certain activities.
The exercises, scheduled to run until October 29, feature a variety of military operations, including amphibious landings, air and missile defense, mine-clearing, intelligence gathering, logistics, resupply, and casualty evacuation. These activities are dispersed across several remote islands, including Tanegashima, Yonaguni, and Ishigaki.
Strategically significant, Yonaguni is Japan’s westernmost island, located about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan. For the first time, Japan has stationed its Type-25 land-to-ship missile system there, boasting an estimated range of 1,000 kilometers, although no live firing is planned. The U.S. is showcasing military systems like the NMESIS anti-ship missile system and the MADIS short-range air defense system on Yonaguni, alongside the HIMARS mobile rocket launcher on Ishigaki. Live-fire exercises are also planned at a Pacific Ocean training site.
Japanese officials assert that these exercises are not aimed at any specific country, emphasizing the importance of military preparedness and cooperation with allies for safeguarding national territory and maintaining regional stability. However, the drills occur against a backdrop of strained relations between Japan and China, primarily due to disputes over Taiwan and concerns regarding China’s growing military activities in the region. In recent years, Japan has bolstered its southwestern island defenses by deploying longer-range missiles and interception systems.
The joint exercises coincide with ongoing public debate in Japan about the presence of U.S. military bases, particularly on Okinawa, where residents have expressed concerns over noise, pollution, and criminal incidents. The joint military activities underscore the increasing significance of defense collaboration between Japan and the United States as they seek to strengthen readiness and address evolving security challenges across the Indo-Pacific region.