Japan, US begin major military drill, including cyber warfare training, as concerns about China grow

The Keen Sword exercise, held every two years, involves dozens of warships, hundreds of aircraft and 46,000 soldiers, sailors and marines from Japan and the US

Running until November 5, it will include cyber and electronic warfare training for the first time

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Defence force personnel on board the helicopter destroyer JS Kaga during Keen Sword on October 26, 2020. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:44pm, 26 Oct 2020Updated: 8:47pm, 26 Oct 2020

Japan and the United States on Monday began air, sea and land exercises around Japan in a show of force in the face of increased Chinese military activity in the region.

The Keen Sword exercise is the first big drill since Yoshihide Suga became Japan’s prime minister last month with a vow to continue the military build-up aimed at countering China, which claims Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea.

Keen Sword, which is held every two years, involves dozens of warships, hundreds of aircraft and 46,000 soldiers, sailors and marines from Japan and the US. Running until November 5, it will include cyber and electronic warfare training for the first time.

“The security situation around Japan has become increasingly severe. This gives us the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Japan-US alliance,” General Koji Yamazaki, Japan’s top military commander said on board the Kaga helicopter carrier in waters south of Japan.

Japan’s biggest warship was accompanied by US aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan and its escort destroyers.

The 248-metre (814ft) Kaga, which was returning from patrols in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, will be refitted as early as next year to carry F-35 stealth fighters.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force soldiers on board the helicopter destroyer JS Kaga on October 26, 2020. Photo: Reuters