The key facts

  • The Keen Sword 2027 drills run from October 19 to 29, involving about 45,000 Japanese and 11,000 American troops
  • Japan's Type 25 missile with a range of about 1,000 km is participating for the first time — without live firing
  • The US deployed NMESIS and MADIS on islands near Taiwan; the drills take place amid Japan-China tension

Scale and participants of the drills

Japan and the US on Monday, October 19, began large-scale joint military drills Keen Sword 2027, involving about 56,000 personnel: roughly 45,000 members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and 11,000 American troops. The drills will last 11 days, until October 29, and will open with a ceremony on the Japanese island of Ishigaki, according to the DVIDS platform, the US Army's official media resource. This is the 18th bilateral exercise, held every two years. In addition to Japan and the US, the maneuvers involve forces from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines. South Korea and the United Kingdom have sent observers.

Program and new missile

The drill program includes air and missile defense, protection of facilities, logistics, evacuation of casualties and maritime operations. According to the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's Type 25 surface-to-surface guided missile is taking part in the drills for the first time. Its range is reported to be about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles); the missile will be used in simulated operations without live firing. The US Marine Corps is also deploying NMESIS anti-ship systems and MADIS air defense systems on Japan's southwestern islands, located near Taiwan.

Context and statements

Admiral Tawara Tateki, commander of Japan's Joint Operations Command, said at the opening ceremony that it was a 'great honor and importance' for him to begin Keen Sword 27 on Ishigaki, the westernmost point of Japan. The drills take place amid tension between China and Japan over the issue of Taiwan, as well as China's growing military and economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan, South Korea and the Philippines are US military allies in the region: about 50,000 and 39,000 American service members are stationed in Tokyo and Seoul respectively, while Manila has granted the Pentagon access to its military bases.