The Ministry of Defense has announced that the Self-Defense Forces and US forces will conduct large-scale joint exercises around Japan next month.
It is said that training will be conducted assuming the defense of remote islands, such as opening a joint US-Japan base for the accumulation of equipment and fuel in Okinawa Prefecture for the first time.
This was announced by Defense Minister Hamada at a press conference on the 21st.
This is the 16th joint exercise between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, which will be held from March 10 to 19, with a total of 36,000 personnel, 30 ships and 370 aircraft scheduled to participate. about it.
During the exercises, drills were conducted assuming countermeasures against ballistic missiles and the defense of remote islands. Among them, the U.S. military Makiminato Service Area on the main island of Okinawa and Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture were the days when equipment and fuel would be accumulated. This is the first time that we will open a joint back office with the United States.
In addition, on Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, for the first time in the Nansei Islands, the Self-Defense Forces and the US military's Osprey transport aircraft will conduct joint training and transport troops landing on the island.
British and Australian military vessels will participate in some of the exercises for the first time, and NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization personnel will also participate as observers for the first time.
The Ministry of Defense stated that the joint exercise was not aimed at any particular country, and stated, "Under the strong will not to allow any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force, we are committed to the defense of Japan and the peace of the region." and contribute to ensuring safety."