Image Credits - AFP
Japan and the United States have embarked on joint military exercises, with a key focus on a hypothetical Taiwan contingency, marking a departure from previous drills. The military exercise, known as Keen Edge, is a biennial command post-training drill that utilizes computer simulations to practice responses during a crisis or contingency. This year’s exercise, which began last week, is scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
Traditionally, these joint exercises between Japan and the U.S. have refrained from explicitly naming potential adversaries, opting for generic scenarios. However, in a significant shift, this iteration of Keen Edge has chosen to centre its hypothetical scenario around Taiwan, with sources indicating that China is the presumed adversary. This marks a departure from the usual practice of using vague names for potential enemies, highlighting a more concrete and explicit approach in the current exercise.
The decision to focus on a Taiwan contingency comes amid growing concerns about China’s intentions, particularly regarding Taiwan. The choice of a specific hypothetical enemy indicates a shared sense of urgency between Japan and the United States, reflecting the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japanese General Yoshihide Yoshida, the head of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, mentioned in a news conference on January 25 that the exercise did not envision a particular country or region. However, according to Kyodo News, multiple government officials have indicated that China is indeed the hypothetical enemy in this case. This shift in approach suggests a more transparent and assertive stance by Japan and the U.S. in addressing regional security concerns.
The scenario for the military exercise has reportedly been classified as a specially designated secret under Japan’s State Secrecy Law, underscoring the sensitivity and seriousness attached to the Taiwan contingency. This classification reflects the gravity with which Japan views potential security threats, especially considering the evolving dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
Previous exercises employed tentative names for hypothetical enemies and utilized altered maps to avoid potential backlash in case of leaks. However, in the current exercise, unaltered maps are being used, indicating a departure from the cautious approach taken in the past. This change in methodology suggests a willingness to openly address and confront the geopolitical realities shaping security dynamics in the region.