Japan-US field drill features new missiles | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - NHKニュース

Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the US military are conducting large-scale field training drills in various parts of Japan this month with more than 50,000 personnel taking part.

Long-range Type 25 surface-to-ship missiles were deployed for the first time in a joint Japan-US exercise.

The Self-Defense Forces and the US military hold the large-scale biennial field training drills called "Keen Sword" that simulate defending Japan.

They are taking place over an 11-day period from October 19, with about 57,000 participants from Japan and the United States.

Joined by seven other countries, including Australia and Canada, the drill is the largest-ever exercise of its kind.

It includes missile defense and landing exercises in 33 prefectures, using Self-Defense Force facilities as well as seven airports and 12 seaports across Japan.

On Sunday, the deployment of Type 25 surface-to-ship missile launchers was shown to the media.

The missile launchers have been stationed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Kengun in Kumamoto City since March.

The missiles have a range of about 1,000 kilometers, and the Defense Ministry says they could be used to counterattack targets in the event of a contingency.

The deployment drill was held at the Onobaru Maneuver Area, which straddles Nagasaki and Saga prefectures.

Personnel with weapons checked their surroundings before the launchers were set up, but there were no actual launches.

This is the first time that Type 25 surface-to-ship missiles have featured in a joint Japan-US exercise.

The drills reportedly set targets based on information from both countries, and confirmed procedures for launching missiles.

Defense ministry officials say they anticipate using information from the US military to operate long-range missiles such as Type 25, further accelerating the integration of the two forces.