Japan and U.S. to rehearse long-range missile deployment in upcoming October drill

According to a source at Japan's Defense Ministry, the Keen Sword exercise beginning in October may involve transferring Type-25 surface-to-ship guided missiles from Camp Kengun to the Oyanohara Maneuver Area, both located in Kumamoto Prefecture. The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. military will exchange information on targeting and confirm launch protocols, yet the drill will not include firing the missiles.

These missiles were first positioned in Kumamoto in March as part of Japan's emerging counterstrike capacity. The exercise underscores Tokyo's shift toward a more proactive defense posture in response to the growing nuclear and missile programs of China and North Korea. While no live fire is expected, the joint training aims to improve interoperability and readiness between the two forces.