Kyodo reported on the 17th that Japan and the U.S. will conduct the large-scale
joint exercise Keen Sword 27 from the 19th to 29th across multiple Japanese
locations, deploying nearly 60,000 personnel — Japan Self-Defense Forces about
45,000 and U.S. forces about 12,000. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the
Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines will also participate; the last
five are taking part for the first time. The report says the exercise has
sparked widespread domestic concern and opposition.
