Japanese amphibious assault units, part of a strategic military exercise, executed a dramatic simulated attack on an island beach bordering the East China Sea on Sunday. The exercise aimed to demonstrate Japan’s capability to repel potential invaders from territories that are perceived as susceptible to threats from China.
Against a backdrop of heightened tensions with neighboring nations such as China, Russia, and North Korea, the culmination of an 11-day series of exercises, referred to as 05JX, took place on the southwest island of Tokunoshima. This comprehensive series of drills showcased the preparedness of Japan’s ground, sea, and air forces to safeguard the nation’s territory and critical infrastructure, including nuclear power plants.
General Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Forces’ Joint Staff, emphasized the objective of the exercises. “The goal of JX is to show that if there is an emergency situation resulting from an attack, that we are able to respond in a joint way,” he stated after observing the amphibious assault drill on Tokunoshima.
