Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise First to Focus on Islands Near Taiwan, Joint Training with U.S. Marines
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will conduct its first deployment and material transport training in the Nansei Islands, near Taiwan, from May 17 to 22. U.S. Marines will also participate in a command and control exercise on Miyako Island, aiming to strengthen interoperability between Japan and the U.S. and enhance regional deterrence.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:46
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 1, comprehensive foreign news report) The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Ground Central Command will conduct its first training focusing on Japan's southwestern islands near Taiwan, and will hold a command and control exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps.
U.S. military media "Stars and Stripes" reported that, according to a press release issued by Japan's Ministry of Defense on April 24, the Ground Self-Defense Force's Ground Central Command will conduct troop deployment and material transport training in the Nansei Islands from May 17 to 22.
The Nansei Islands, also known as the Ryukyu Islands, include Okinawa and extend from Kyushu to Taiwan; this exercise will mainly be held on Ishigaki Island, Yonaguni Island, and Miyako Island.
A spokesperson for the Japan Ground Staff Office (equivalent to an army headquarters in other countries) recently stated that approximately 300 Self-Defense Force personnel from units across Japan will participate in the training. This exercise aims to enhance the region's deterrence and response capabilities through training in rapid deployment and material transport, and it is the first training to focus on the Nansei Islands.
According to the press release, the training content includes a command post exercise on Miyako Island from May 17 to 20, with 20 personnel from the U.S. 12th Marine Littoral Regiment stationed in Okinawa also participating.
The Ground Staff Office spokesperson mentioned that this will be the first time Japan and the U.S. establish a coordination center on Miyako Island. Miyako Island is located approximately 354 kilometers east of Taiwan and approximately 290 kilometers southwest of Okinawa.
Kazuma Engelkemier, spokesperson for the U.S. Third Marine Division, stated via email that the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment will mobilize "necessary communications and command and control equipment to establish and operate a bilateral communication center."
He wrote: "Command post exercises are extremely important, helping to strengthen the interoperability of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment and the Ground Self-Defense Force, deepen mutual understanding, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the joint partnership."
According to the Japanese press release, during the exercise, Japan will deploy an Type 88 surface-to-ship missile launcher on Ishigaki Island, approximately 241 kilometers east of Taiwan; and two ScanEagle II drones on Yonaguni Island, approximately 113 kilometers east of Taiwan. U.S. forces will not land on these two islands.
Furthermore, the Ground Staff Office spokesperson added that no ammunition will be transported during the exercise. (Edited by Hung Pei-ying) 1150501
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 1, comprehensive foreign news report) The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Ground Central Command will conduct its first training focusing on Japan's southwestern islands near Taiwan, and will hold a command and control exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps.
U.S. military media "Stars and Stripes" reported that, according to a press release issued by Japan's Ministry of Defense on April 24, the Ground Self-Defense Force's Ground Central Command will conduct troop deployment and material transport training in the Nansei Islands from May 17 to 22.
The Nansei Islands, also known as the Ryukyu Islands, include Okinawa and extend from Kyushu to Taiwan; this exercise will mainly be held on Ishigaki Island, Yonaguni Island, and Miyako Island.
A spokesperson for the Japan Ground Staff Office (equivalent to an army headquarters in other countries) recently stated that approximately 300 Self-Defense Force personnel from units across Japan will participate in the training. This exercise aims to enhance the region's deterrence and response capabilities through training in rapid deployment and material transport, and it is the first training to focus on the Nansei Islands.
According to the press release, the training content includes a command post exercise on Miyako Island from May 17 to 20, with 20 personnel from the U.S. 12th Marine Littoral Regiment stationed in Okinawa also participating.
The Ground Staff Office spokesperson mentioned that this will be the first time Japan and the U.S. establish a coordination center on Miyako Island. Miyako Island is located approximately 354 kilometers east of Taiwan and approximately 290 kilometers southwest of Okinawa.
Kazuma Engelkemier, spokesperson for the U.S. Third Marine Division, stated via email that the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment will mobilize "necessary communications and command and control equipment to establish and operate a bilateral communication center."
He wrote: "Command post exercises are extremely important, helping to strengthen the interoperability of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment and the Ground Self-Defense Force, deepen mutual understanding, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the joint partnership."
According to the Japanese press release, during the exercise, Japan will deploy an Type 88 surface-to-ship missile launcher on Ishigaki Island, approximately 241 kilometers east of Taiwan; and two ScanEagle II drones on Yonaguni Island, approximately 113 kilometers east of Taiwan. U.S. forces will not land on these two islands.
Furthermore, the Ground Staff Office spokesperson added that no ammunition will be transported during the exercise. (Edited by Hung Pei-ying) 1150501
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