October 18, 2026

The US and Japan are set to launch the large-scale "Keen Sword 27" military exercise on Monday amid protests in several parts of Japan, with a Chinese expert warning that the deployment of long-range missiles, coupled with an emphasis on their ability to strike targets along China's coast, constitutes a continued provocation and heightens the risk of further destabilizing the region.

The field-training exercise will run through October 29 at Self-Defense Forces facilities and other locations across Japan, involving about 45,000 Japanese personnel and 12,000 US troops, Kyodo News reported on Saturday. Seven other countries will also participate, including five taking part for the first time, among them France and Germany.

Notably, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Type-25 surface-to-ship missile will be deployed for training away from its base for the first time since entering service in March, the Japanese media report said.

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