Japan’s Self-Defense Forces will participate in U.S.-led exercises in June; Ground, maritime and air forces will practice with Americans

The Self-Defense Forces will participate for the first time in ‘Valiant Shield’, a multilateral exercise organized by the US military, from June 7 to 18, the Defense Ministry announced on Friday. They aim to deepen cooperation with the United States and strengthen preparedness in the event of an emergency.

The exercise will take place at bases and training areas in nine prefectures, including Hokkaido, Tokyo and Kagoshima, as well as in the sea and airspace around and above Japan. About 4,000 men from the three self-defense forces – land, sea and air – will participate. Japan and the United States will jointly conduct parachuting and runway recovery exercises and will also confirm procedures for dealing with enemy naval vessels.