Japan-U.S.-Australia Joint Exercises Launched in Multiple Locations in Japan

Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, September 8 (Reporter Li Ziyue, Chen Zean) According to local media reports from Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, the "Orient Shield" joint exercise, participated by Japan, the United States, and Australia, was launched on September 8 in Hokkaido and Kagoshima Prefecture, and will last until the 24th. This development has raised concerns and opposition within Japan.

Reports indicate that approximately 3,700 personnel from Japan, the U.S., and Australia are participating in the exercise. At the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kanoya Air Base, following the Japan-U.S. "Brave Shield" joint exercise held from June to July this year, the "Tomahawk" cruise missile system and the "HIMARS" high mobility artillery rocket system will again be used for anti-ship combat training.

This June, the U.S. military deployed the "Tomahawk" and "HIMARS" to Kanoya Air Base, which are planned to be used successively in the Japan-U.S. "Brave Shield" joint exercise and this "Orient Shield" joint exercise. According to the plan, after the exercise concludes, the "Tomahawk" will be transferred to U.S. military bases in Japan.

Civilian groups in Hokkaido, Japan, oppose the Self-Defense Forces' participation in the aforementioned exercise, stating that it not only undermines Article 9 of the Constitution but also does not align with the principle of "defense only." The Japanese newspaper "Akahata" published an article stating that the transfer of the "Tomahawk" to U.S. military bases in Japan after the exercise poses a risk of evolving into a permanent deployment.