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 a

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.