Japan and the United States today began air, sea and land training around Japan in a show of strength in the face of increasing Chinese military activity in the region. Also, Keen Sword Training is the first major exercise since Yoshihide Suga became the prime minister of Japan last month. He allegedly vowed to focus on the military field aimed at opposing China, which is claiming Japanese-occupied islands in the East China Sea.
For all you know, Keen Sword, held every 2 years, involves dozens of warships, hundreds of aircraft and 46,000 ground, naval and marine forces from Japan and the United States. It will run until November 5, including cyber and electronic warfare training for the first time.
Japan's largest warship will be accompanied by the US aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan and the escort destroyers. The 248-meter (814-foot) Kaga, which returned from patrols in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, will be deployed early next year to carry F-35 fighter jets.
In addition, Suga this month has visited Vietnam and Indonesia as part of Japan's efforts to improve relations with key Southeast Asian allies. Following a meeting at the "Quad" in Tokyo consisting of an unofficial group of Indians, Australians, Japanese and Americans who saw Washington as a bulwark against the growing influence of Chinese territory.
Meanwhile, Japan is increasingly concerned about the increasing Chinese naval activity around the disputed islands in the East China Sea that Tokyo considers as Senkaku and Diaoyu in Beijing.
In addition, China's recent activities are said to be of great concern to Washington and Tokyo, including new security laws in Hong Kong that have damaged the region's autonomy, Chinese troops conducting military exercises in the South China Sea and Taiwan interference by Chinese troops over the years recent months.
However, China says its intention in the region is a reconciliation.
