TOKYO — For the first time, Japanese and U.S. forces are conducting joint exercises simulating the evacuation of residents of Japan's southwestern islands to ensure the two allies can coordinate quickly and effectively in the event of a conflict around Taiwan.
Keen Sword, the largest joint US-Japan exercise this fiscal year, involves 45,000 personnel from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the US military, with a total of 40 ships and 370 aircraft from the two countries.