Residents briefed before Japan-US Keen Sword drills starting October 19

Japan-US Keen Sword exercises are scheduled across Japan for October 19–29, with residents briefed on plans for training grounds in Oita and Miyazaki prefectures. Fifteen residents attended a meeting in Kusu on the evening of October 8, according to Nippon TV News and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun. TBS NEWS DIG reported a separate briefing for 12 residents in Ebino on October 9. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

At Hijudai training ground in Oita, about 4,000 Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force personnel and 480 US Marines are expected to participate, Nishi-Nippon reported. Officials said Type 10 tanks, Osprey aircraft and live ammunition would not be used there. Nippon TV and Nishi-Nippon recalled an April accident at the training ground in which a shell burst in a Type 10 tank and four service members were killed or injured. Nishi-Nippon reported that parachute training was planned for October 25 and 26, along with training to disrupt communications and drone controls using electromagnetic waves. [ 1 , 3 ]

At Kirishima training ground in Miyazaki, plans call for about 1,400 Japanese and 250 US personnel and approximately seven Ospreys from the two countries, TBS reported. Officials said there would be no live ammunition and that Japanese and US forces had shared entry and exit routes from the west side of the training ground out of consideration for nearby residents. The report said exercises were also planned at Nyutabaru base and Aburatsu port. [ 2 ]

Nishi-Nippon reported complaints from livestock farmers because the Hijudai exercise coincides with grass-cutting season inside the training ground. Defence officials asked for understanding, saying the security situation required training even though residents' requests had not been fully reflected. TBS quoted a resident expressing concern about growing exercises and reported that Ebino had set up a response headquarters to share information with citizens. [ 2 , 3 ]