The Ground Self-Defense Force has been conducting large-scale drills and training activities in Hokkaido and Nagasaki Prefecture in preparation for the defense of the remote islands and instances in which it unclear whether the area is under attack.
Because of continued provocative activities by China in areas surrounding Japan, even amid the spread of new coronavirus infections, the believed GSDF objective is to maintain and improve its capability to swiftly deploy units.
The drills and training, which started last month, are expected to be completed sometime this month.
The Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade based in Nagasaki Prefecture, which is charged with the defense of remote islands, participated for the first time in exercises scheduled to take place in Hokkaido through Sept. 10.
The exercises are being run on the assumption that GSDF units, which traveled within Hokkaido Prefecture with private ships contracted by the Defense Ministry, would deter "enemy forces," simulated by Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade members on AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles and Chiba Prefecture-based 1st Airborne Brigade members landing with a plane, among others.
About 17,000 personnel are participating in the Hokkaido exercises, which a senior GSDF member called a "record scale."
The main objective of the drill is to improve the capability to swiftly deploy nationwide units to the front lines if there is an invasion of the remote islands.
In the training in Nagasaki Prefecture, members of the 15th Rapid Deployment Division, based in Kagawa Prefecture, and others traveled to Hakata Port in Fukuoka Prefecture on a Type-16 Mobile Combat Vehicle, capable of hitting speeds as high as 100 kph on an expressway.
They were subsequently transported on a private ferry to Tsushima island, where they have been engaged in exercises focused on monitoring the coast and dealing with armed agents.
Since China has been scaling up its activities in recent years in areas surrounding Japan, including the Senkaku Islands, shoring up of the protective capabilities in and around the Nansei Islands are urgently needed.
"Enhanced sophistication of rapid-deployment training will lead to improved deterrence," a senior GSDF official said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
