Japan's remarkable new military activity

The Apache helicopter flight over Irisuna Island, about 70 km (43 miles) from the main island of Okinawa, was part of the 11-day 05JX exercise across Japan, Reuters reported. The exercise, which ends on November 20, also includes air defense drills in northern Japan and simulated attacks on five nuclear reactors, including the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

AH-64 Apache helicopter of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during an exercise on Irisuna Island (Japan) on November 15.

The 05JX exercise is aimed at preparing Japan's air, sea and land forces for a potential conflict in East Asia, according to Reuters.

Such exercises are expected to expand in scale and become more frequent after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled plans in December 2022 to double defense spending over the next five years to strengthen the country's Self-Defense Forces.

From Irisuna Island, Shingo Nashinoki, commander of Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), said the national security environment around the country had become more severe. The ARDB was established in 2018 to help defend the Okinawa archipelago, which stretches from Japan’s main islands to near Taiwan.

Japan's growing defense budget will allow the ARDB to add a third regiment, Nashinoki said.

Commander Shingo Nashinoki and soldiers of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) participate in an exercise while U.S. Marines look on, on Irisuna Island on Nov. 15.

Last month, a senior Japanese official said that while trying to close the "defense gap" in the Nansei island chain, which stretches from Kyushu island to near Taiwan, the Japanese Defense Ministry is rushing to strengthen deterrence capabilities in Kyushu, according to Jiji News Agency.

Accordingly, the Japanese Ministry of Defense will establish a squadron of F-35B stealth fighters and a surface-to-ship missile unit in Kyushu. In fiscal year 2024 (starting in April 2024), six F-35B fighters, capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, will be deployed to Japan for the first time. These F-35Bs will belong to a temporary squadron established at the Air Self-Defense Force's Nyutabaru base in Miyazaki Prefecture, in the Kyushu region.

In addition, a surface-to-ship missile regiment will be established at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Yufuin Camp in Oita Prefecture, also in Kyushu, to prepare for possible contingencies in the region.

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