U.S.-Japan joint military exercises increased totaling 416 days in 2005

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U.S.-Japan joint military exercises increased totaling 416 days in 2005

In fiscal 2005, the Self-Defense Forces carried out joint training exercises with the U.S. forces 106 times totaling 416 days, six times and 85 days more those of the previous year. Akahata obtained this from the Defense Agency using the Freedom of Information Law.

The Air SDF increased joint exercises 17 times and 75 days and the Ground SDF two times and 54 days, because the exercises these forces conduct aim at integration with the U.S. forces and upgrade the capability to fight abroad.

The Southwestern Air Composite Division (Headquarters: Naha Base) and the U.S. Air Force 18th Wing (Headquarters: Kadena Air Base) conducted four fighter jets joint training exercises, a sharp increase from the annual average of 1.1 times between 1979 and 2004.

The Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan in May sets out to increasing the joint exercises by allowing the ASDF to jointly use the U.S. Kadena Air Base.

The Air SDF in July 2005 conducted its first live-shell bombing exercises at an island off Guam, and the second exercise last June. Thus, the Air SDF has already begun strengthening its capabilities to engage in combat abroad despite the stated policy of "defensive defense."

Last year, the Ground SDF carried out joint field training exercises twice with the U.S. Army on the U.S. mainland, doubling the number over past years. In the exercise conducted at the U.S. First Army Corps Fort Lewis in Washington State in October and November, the GSDF learned ways to conduct combat in Iraq from a U.S. Striker Brigade. The GSDF was trained landing operations by the U.S. Marine Corps at the U.S. Naval Base Coronado in California in January.
- Akahata, August 24, 2006