Tokyo, — May 3, 2026 : Japan’s top ground operational command will conduct its first training exercise focused exclusively on the country’s southwestern Nansei Islands from May 17 to 22, incorporating coordinated command-and-control activities with the United States Marine Corps. The exercise reflects ongoing efforts by Tokyo and Washington to strengthen operational coordination and logistical readiness along the First Island Chain.
The drills will be led by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Ground Component Command, which oversees nationwide land operations. Approximately 300 personnel drawn from all five regional armies will participate in the multi-day exercise spanning the islands of Miyakojima, Ishigaki, and Yonaguni—areas geographically positioned close to Taiwan.
Scope of Operations Across Key Islands
Activities will be distributed across three strategically located islands in the Nansei chain, which extends from Kyushu toward Taiwan.
On Miyakojima, located approximately 350 kilometers east of Taiwan, around 300 JGSDF personnel will conduct operations from May 17 to May 20. They will be joined by 20 U.S. Marines from the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment’s Headquarters Battalion, based in Okinawa. During this phase, the two forces will establish and operate a bilateral communication and coordination center on the island. This marks the first instance of such a joint command post being set up on Miyakojima.
Separate exercises will take place on Ishigaki and Yonaguni islands, both situated closer to Taiwan. Ishigaki lies roughly 240 kilometers from Taiwan, while Yonaguni—Japan’s westernmost inhabited island—is about 110 kilometers from the Taiwanese coast. U.S. personnel will not participate in the drills conducted on these two islands.
Logistics and Deployment Focus
The primary focus of the exercise is to improve Japan’s ability to deploy forces and sustain operations across remote island environments. Training will emphasize the movement of troops and transportation of essential supplies between dispersed locations.
Logistical operations will include transporting food and water to simulate sustainment of deployed forces. No live ammunition will be used or transported during these drills. The exercise will utilize a network of nine ports across Japan, demonstrating long-range logistical coordination. These include ports on Miyakojima, Ishigaki, and Yonaguni, as well as Naha (Okinawa), Muroran and Tomakomai (Hokkaido), Sakade (Kagawa), Kitakyushu (Fukuoka), and Kagoshima.
In addition to logistics training, specific equipment deployments are planned. The JGSDF will position a Type-88 surface-to-ship guided missile launcher on Ishigaki. On Yonaguni, two ScanEagle II unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be deployed for surveillance and operational training purposes.
Bilateral Coordination with U.S. Forces
The command post training on Miyakojima will focus on interoperability between Japanese and U.S. forces, particularly in communication systems and operational coordination. U.S. Marines will provide command-and-control and communications equipment necessary to establish the bilateral coordination center.
According to military officials, the exercise is intended to enhance shared operational understanding and improve the effectiveness of joint responses in potential contingencies. The participation of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment aligns with evolving U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific, which emphasizes distributed operations across island chains.
Strategic and Defense Context
The exercise forms part of Japan’s broader initiative to strengthen its defensive posture across the Nansei Islands. In recent years, Tokyo has expanded its military infrastructure in the region, reflecting increased attention to the security environment surrounding its southwestern territories.
In 2023, Japan established a missile base on Ishigaki equipped with Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles and Type-03 air defense systems. Future plans include deploying upgraded Type-03 air defense missile systems to Yonaguni by fiscal year 2030.
The upcoming drills also align with bilateral agreements (January 2026) between Japan and the United States to expand joint training activities along the First Island Chain. Officials state that the May exercise is designed to strengthen capabilities for rapid troop deployment, sustainment logistics, and coordinated command operations in geographically dispersed island settings.
A Ground Staff spokesperson confirmed that this is the first time the Ground Component Command has conducted a training exercise specifically centered on the Nansei Islands, marking a shift toward more regionally focused operational planning.
Military representatives from both countries have indicated that the exercise will contribute to improving readiness, logistical coordination, and interoperability in the southwestern island region.
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