1 of 1
Story summary
- U.S. and Japan launched the Keen Sword 27 exercises on Monday.
- The drills involve about 45,000 Japanese Self-Defense Force personnel and 12,000 U.S. service members, the largest ever.
- Japan deployed its longer-range Type 25 surface-to-ship missiles outside Kumamoto Prefecture for the first time.
- The United States sent an advanced anti-ship missile system to Yonaguni island, 110 km from Taiwan.
- The exercises act as a dress rehearsal for defending Japan’s southwestern island chain.