Status: 02/16/2023 4:34 p.m
Since 2006, the US and Japan have held annual military exercises – usually in California. This year, the maneuver will take place near Japan for the first time. The reason for this is China’s increasing military activities.
Japan and the US have launched large-scale maneuvers in southwest Japan in response to China’s increasing military activities in the East China Sea. The month-long drills, dubbed “Iron Fist,” are designed to demonstrate the bilateral alliance’s responsiveness and simulate the defense and recapture of Japanese islands, Kyodo News Agency reported.
The annual maneuver involving 1,700 members of the armed forces of Japan and its security partner is taking place outside of the US state of California for the first time since the beginning of 2006. To better defend the islands facing China, Japan is considering establishing several ammunition and weapons depots on these remote islands, according to a recent media report. According to media reports, the USA also wants to position a rapid reaction force in southern Japan.
Flying objects also over Japan
Meanwhile, Japan’s ruling party has spoken out in favor of easing restrictions on the use of weapons against the intrusion of flying objects into Japan’s airspace. The reason is concern about spy balloons from China. According to the Defense Ministry, at least three flying objects have been sighted in Japan’s airspace in the past three years, which have been strongly suspected to be unmanned spy balloons from China.
Suspected espionage balloons were also sighted several times over the USA and other countries and some were shot down. The USA initially accused China, but recently stated that they could not see any concrete connection between the balloons and the People’s Republic.
Japan plans higher defense spending
Japan is currently undergoing a historic change of course in its security policy and intends to massively increase its defense spending. For the first time, the country wants to acquire offensive weapons such as cruise missiles that can reach potential targets in China.
The change of course comes amid what Tokyo described as the “serious and most complicated security environment” since World War II. China’s military presence in the region represents “the greatest strategic challenge” of all time, according to a new security paper.