Japan and the United States will conduct a joint military exercise starting Nov. 10, Japan’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday, as countries in the region and beyond grow increasingly wary of military might and of China’s growing assertiveness.
The exercise, dubbed Keen Sword, takes place every two years in Japan. Some 36,000 personnel, 30 ships and 370 aircraft from the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US military will take part in this year’s exercise, which will run until November 19.
“By demonstrating the strong will and coordination of Japan and the United States, we aim to contribute to the defense of Japan and ensure peace and security in the region,” Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters. journalists.
In addition to the two Pacific allies, Canada will send two ships, while Australia and Britain will each send one warship to the exercise, the ministry said.
Field training locations include the southwestern islands of Japan, including Tokunoshima, which is closer to Taipei than Tokyo.
At a Communist Party meeting that started on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for accelerating China’s plans to build a world-class military and said his country would never give up the right to use force. to solve the Taiwan problem.
China says Taiwan has governed democratically as its own territory, while the Taiwan government strongly opposes China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future.
https://www.Reuters.com/world/japan-us-conduct-major-military-drill-nov-10-2022-10-21/
Category: Japan
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