Japan and the United States are set to launch a major military exercise on Oct. 19 involving approximately 57,000 Japanese and American personnel, as the two allies prepare to deploy missile systems, move troops, and coordinate military operations across Japan’s southwestern islands near Taiwan.
The 11-day exercise, known as Keen Sword 27, will involve about 45,000 Japanese and 12,000 U.S. personnel, along with approximately 45 ships and 380 aircraft from the two countries, according to Japan’s Joint Operations Command. Forces from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines will also participate. The Japanese military did not disclose personnel numbers or detailed force compositions for those seven countries….