With China in mind, Japan eyes more realistic joint military exercises

Maritime Self-Defense Force Adm. Tawara Tateki, commander of the Japan Joint Operations Command, delivers remarks during an opening ceremony commencing exercise Keen Sword 27 in Okinawa Prefecture on Oct. 19. | U.S. Marine Corps

Oct 30, 2026

Japan and the United States are looking to ramp up their joint military drills, making them even more realistic — including boosted live-fire training potentially involving powerful weapons systems — as they simulate real-world defense contingencies. 

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the commitment at a bilateral meeting earlier this week to conduct more advanced joint training exercises, including additional live-fire exercises. 

The focus on live-fire exercises could point to the use of advanced weaponry that has so far been seen as off-limits amid concerns this would anger locals near training sites and prompt more political backlash from Beijing.  

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