Japan and U.S. Launch Keen Sword 27 Military Drills
Japanese and U.S. forces began Keen Sword 27, a massive joint exercise involving 57,000 troops to defend Japan's southwestern islands and northern coastal waters.
The Japan Self-Defence Forces and United States Armed Forces began Keen Sword 27 on October 19, one of their largest biennial joint military exercises. Running through October 29, the drills involve approximately 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 American service members. Seven other nations are participating, including first-time partners France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The exercises focus on defending Japan's northern coastal waters and southwestern islands amid tensions with Russia, North Korea, and China. To strengthen these defenses, the Japan Self-Defence Forces deployed Type-25 land-to-ship missiles to Yonaguni island, while the U.S. deployed NMESIS and MADIS systems to the same location and HIMARS to Ishigaki.
The drills follow strained relations with China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments regarding Taiwan. Additionally, the exercises occur amid renewed anti-U.S. base sentiment in Okinawa following the arrest of a U.S. Marine for robbery and murder. While Chief of Staff Hiroaki Uchikura denied the exercises target any specific country, Admiral Tateki Tawara emphasized the necessity of cooperation with allies to prevent a crisis.
