Japan to deploy long-range missiles in US drill

Japan began a joint military exercise with the United States on Monday that will include the first deployment of long-range Type 25 surface-to-ship guided missiles outside their garrison, Japan's Joint Staff said.

The Keen Sword drill runs through October 29 in various parts of Japan. It will involve about 45,000 Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel and 12,000 US troops, making it one of the largest exercises held by the two allies.

Japan's Joint Staff previously said the Type 25 missiles would be deployed at a training ground in Kyushu, in southern Japan. The missiles have been based in Kumamoto prefecture since arriving there earlier this year.

A Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff spokesman told AFP that Japan plans to verify launch procedures for attacking naval vessels at sea, but that there will be no live-fire exercises.

The missile has a range of 1,000 kilometres, according to the supplied details. Nikkei and other local media reported that it can reach waters close to Taiwan.

The US Marine Corps will reportedly deploy an unmanned surface-to-ship missile system known as NMESIS and the MADIS integrated air defence system in Okinawa.

Hiroaki Uchikura, head of Japan's Joint Staff, said this month that Japan needed to be able to deploy forces swiftly and flexibly in the southwestern region, citing geographical and operational factors. He said the exercise's scale reflected a heightened sense of crisis and strong demand for training.

The exercise comes during strained relations between Japan and China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last November that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on self-ruled Taiwan. China views Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force.