Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) will conduct its largest-ever live exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps next month, simulating the defense of remote islands across multiple regions of the country.
According to the GSDF, the exercise—known as “Resolute Dragon”—will run from September 11 to 25, taking place in Kyushu, Okinawa, Hokkaido, and on Iwo Jima in the Ogasawara Islands.
The drill will bring together about 12,000 personnel from Japan’s Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, alongside roughly 1,900 troops from the U.S. Marine Corps and other American units.
Officials said this year’s iteration will be the largest in the history of the Resolute Dragon series. The training will include live-fire drills featuring the GSDF’s rocket systems and U.S. military rocket artillery.
The U.S. military is also considering deploying its new Naval Strike Missile system, known as NMESIS, to the GSDF’s Ishigaki garrison in Okinawa Prefecture during the exercise. NMESIS is a ground-based anti-ship missile platform intended to enhance long-range maritime strike capabilities.
The GSDF noted that the scenario focuses on defending remote islands, a mission that has become increasingly central to Japan’s defense planning. The exercise is seen as part of efforts to strengthen deterrence, particularly in light of China’s increasingly active military operations in the region.
The training reflects Tokyo’s ongoing emphasis on integrating joint operations with U.S. forces and improving readiness for potential contingencies in its southwestern islands. By involving all three branches of the Self-Defense Forces, the exercise aims to improve interoperability and coordination with U.S. units in complex, multi-domain operations.