From Tokyo, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) said on April 15 that it is strengthening its defense system in the southwest region and is preparing to gather all its members, totaling about 140,000 people, between September and November 2021 to hold a large-scale defense exercise under the scenario of a dangerous situation in the southwest region. This will be the first time in the past 30 years that all units of the Japanese Land Self Defense Force will participate in a nationwide exercise.
According to the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) on Friday, Japan’s Defense Ministry is strengthening the defense system in the southwest region by deploying troops on some outlying islands of Okinawa and Kagoshima. In addition, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is preparing to assemble all its members, totaling about 140,000 people, between September and November 2021 to hold a large-scale defense exercise under the scenario of a dangerous situation in the southwest.
The exercise will involve troops from all over Japan, with three units called “divisions” and “brigades” ranging in size from a few thousand to 10,000 troops from Hokkaido, Tohoku and Shikoku regions, to Kyushu. According to the Japan Times, the last time the Japan Land Self-Defense Force held a drill of this scale was back in 1993, after the end of the Cold War.
It is reported that during the exercise, ships and aircraft will be used to transport troops, tanks and supplies, and the specific plan will be agreed upon according to the spread of the New Crown epidemic. The Army Self-Defense Force hopes to use the exercise to practice the deployment of defense forces in the southwest and the backup supply program, to identify outstanding issues, and to develop a plan of action for the actual mobilization of troops based on the results of the exercise.
In addition, the Japanese Land Self-Defense Force also released news Thursday that it will hold joint training with the U.S. Marine Corps and the French Army around May. This will be the first time that the land forces of the three countries will implement formal training in Japan. It is understood that the Army will send a special unit for the defense of the outlying islands, “Surface Mobile Corps” to participate. The participating troops will land and land on the outlying islands and use simulated market facilities training at the Kirishima exercise site across Hirano City in Miyazaki Prefecture and Chungsui Town in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Japan’s Land Self-Defense Force chief, Chief of Army Staff Keishu Yoshida, said at a press conference on the same day, “France is a country that is responsible for a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and the joint training is (significant) for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific.” France has recently promoted the strengthening of relations with the Self-Defense Forces, and the French Navy has conducted four joint training sessions with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces so far this year.
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