Philippines-U.S. Balikatan Exercise: Japanese Defense Minister Witnesses Self-Defense Forces Launch Anti-Ship Missile
During the Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, participating officially for the first time as a combat unit, launched Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles, sinking a target vessel. Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro witnessed the event, highlighting deepening defense cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 18:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Lin Hang-jian, Paoay Town, 6th Exclusive Report) The Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise held its maritime strike drill today, with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, formally participating for the first time, firing Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles to sink a target vessel. Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro witnessed the event.
The "Balikatan" exercise's maritime strike drill took place on the sand dunes of Paoay town in northwestern Philippines. Around 10:20 AM, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces launched two Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles, hitting a target vessel 70 kilometers offshore about 6 minutes later; the target vessel sank approximately 17 minutes later.
In addition to the live-fire exercise by the Japanese side, the U.S. military also conducted a simulated strike on the target vessel using the "Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System" (NMESIS), demonstrating multinational coordinated combat capabilities.
Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, accompanied by Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, witnessed the Japanese missile launch today and interacted with the officers and soldiers but did not accept media interviews; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also watched through a live feed from the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters in Manila.
The Philippine and Japanese parliaments respectively approved the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" (RAA) last year, enabling Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel to participate in the "Balikatan" exercise as combat units this year, with the number increasing from about 140 as "observers" in the past to about 1,400 now.
Koizumi Shinjiro stated yesterday after a meeting with Teodoro in Manila that he looked forward to a new stage of rapid development in Japan-Philippines defense cooperation.
Teodoro said in an interview today that this was the first time Japan had tested missiles in "Balikatan," and their effectiveness had been verified, indicating potential for coordinated operations in future multilateral joint actions.
He emphasized that for the Philippines, "Balikatan" helps enhance coordinated combat capabilities with like-minded countries, strengthen the Philippines' national defense resilience, and contribute to maintaining a free, open, peaceful, and stable Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise is scheduled to strike a second target vessel tomorrow, with the U.S. military's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Philippine Air Force FA-50 light fighter jets and A-29B "Super Tucano" attack aircraft, and a Canadian warship expected to participate.
This year's "Balikatan" began on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada, countries such as Australia, France, and New Zealand are also participating, mobilizing over 17,000 personnel. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and the northern Philippines near Taiwan. (Edited by Wei Shu) 1150506
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(Central News Agency Reporter Lin Hang-jian, Paoay Town, 6th Exclusive Report) The Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise held its maritime strike drill today, with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, formally participating for the first time, firing Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles to sink a target vessel. Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro witnessed the event.
The "Balikatan" exercise's maritime strike drill took place on the sand dunes of Paoay town in northwestern Philippines. Around 10:20 AM, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces launched two Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles, hitting a target vessel 70 kilometers offshore about 6 minutes later; the target vessel sank approximately 17 minutes later.
In addition to the live-fire exercise by the Japanese side, the U.S. military also conducted a simulated strike on the target vessel using the "Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System" (NMESIS), demonstrating multinational coordinated combat capabilities.
Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, accompanied by Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, witnessed the Japanese missile launch today and interacted with the officers and soldiers but did not accept media interviews; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also watched through a live feed from the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters in Manila.
The Philippine and Japanese parliaments respectively approved the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" (RAA) last year, enabling Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel to participate in the "Balikatan" exercise as combat units this year, with the number increasing from about 140 as "observers" in the past to about 1,400 now.
Koizumi Shinjiro stated yesterday after a meeting with Teodoro in Manila that he looked forward to a new stage of rapid development in Japan-Philippines defense cooperation.
Teodoro said in an interview today that this was the first time Japan had tested missiles in "Balikatan," and their effectiveness had been verified, indicating potential for coordinated operations in future multilateral joint actions.
He emphasized that for the Philippines, "Balikatan" helps enhance coordinated combat capabilities with like-minded countries, strengthen the Philippines' national defense resilience, and contribute to maintaining a free, open, peaceful, and stable Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise is scheduled to strike a second target vessel tomorrow, with the U.S. military's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Philippine Air Force FA-50 light fighter jets and A-29B "Super Tucano" attack aircraft, and a Canadian warship expected to participate.
This year's "Balikatan" began on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada, countries such as Australia, France, and New Zealand are also participating, mobilizing over 17,000 personnel. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and the northern Philippines near Taiwan. (Edited by Wei Shu) 1150506
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.