Japan and the United States have launched a large-scale joint military exercise, raising concerns of destabilizing regional security and further heightening tensions between Japan and its neighboring countries.
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the United States Marine Corps launched the Resolute Dragon exercise on Saturday, taking place across the southwestern Kyushu region and Okinawa Prefecture and lasting over a week, according to Japan's Nikkei Asia.
The GSDF plans to deploy its US-made V-22 Osprey military transport aircraft from Camp Saga, Kyushu, to Miyako Island in Okinawa for the first time. The drill will include transporting simulated casualties from the island to the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa.
The military drill, focused on island defense operations, has been held annually since 2021. About 9,600 personnel from both nations will participate in the exercise, which will include live-fire drills, combat exercises and logistics transport training at GSDF garrisons and training grounds, among other locations.
This is the first time a GSDF unit operating long-range missiles has participated in the joint exercise. The unit was deployed to Camp Kengun in Kumamoto in March. This also marks the first time SDF transport ships Nihonbare and Yoko have been used in military drills, according to Japan News. Last year, the London Maritime Academy reported that the vessels are part of a unit focused on enhancing maritime logistics.
