After 81 years, Japan sends troops for war drills abroad – Is Asia preparing for war against China?
April 16, 2026
Japan, the United States and the Philippines are preparing for one of the largest joint military exercises, with Japanese troops set to train for combat overseas for the first time since the World War II.
In a historic move not seen in 81 years, Japan has dispatched combat-capable troops to participate in large-scale military exercises in the Philippines, signaling a significant evolution in its defense posture and deepening security alignments across Asia. The Japanese contingent is joining forces with the United States and the Philippines for the annual Balikatan military drills, which focus on a wide range of land, sea, and air operations. This deployment marks the first time since the end of the Second World War that Japanese combat troops have been sent to train on foreign soil, a clear departure from decades of pacifist policy.
The decision represents a landmark shift for Japan, whose post-war constitution has historically limited its Self-Defense Forces to roles of national defense and, on rare occasions, international peacekeeping and disaster relief missions. In past Balikatan exercises, Japan's involvement was restricted to that of an observer or a very limited participant. The current deployment, however, involves full participation in combat training scenarios, including defensive operations with weapons. Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted the profound change, noting that where the two nations once stood on opposite sides of a war, they now find themselves allied for regional security.
The scale of Japan’s contribution underscores the gravity of this policy shift. Approximately 1,400 personnel from Japan's Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, as well as cyber and medical units, are involved, making it the third-largest contingent after the United States and the Philippines. Tokyo is also deploying significant military hardware, including warships like the Ise helicopter carrier, transport aircraft, and crucially, its Type 88 ground-based anti-ship missile system. The inclusion of such offensive-capable weaponry in an overseas drill is a notable step, facilitated by a reciprocal access agreement between Tokyo and Manila that came into force in late 2025.
This enhanced military cooperation is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing regional tension, largely driven by concerns over China's expanding military and its assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific. Both Japan and the Philippines are contending with Chinese maritime claims in the East China Sea and South China Sea, respectively. The exercises, which will run from late April into May, are designed to bolster deterrence by improving the interoperability of allied forces. Drills will include counter-landing live-fire exercises, maritime strikes, and integrated air and missile defense, all scenarios relevant to a potential conflict in the region, including a possible contingency over Taiwan.
The implications of Japan's new military stance are far-reaching, solidifying a network of alliances aimed at maintaining the regional status quo. The move has been criticized by experts in Chinese media as a step toward remilitarization that breaks with Japan's pacifist principles. For the United States and its allies, however, it is a welcome development that strengthens collective security in the so-called first island chain. As Asian nations watch Beijing’s actions with growing apprehension, Japan's decision to send troops for war drills abroad is a clear signal of its commitment to a more active role in regional defense and a testament to the changing geopolitical landscape.
Source: zeenews