In September, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces held a traditional exercise at the Yakima Training Center in Washington state, which is owned by the US Army. During the exercise, soldiers and officers were able to test those types of weapons, the use of which in Japan itself is limited for territorial and legal reasons. Among other things, the guests from the Land of the Rising Sun worked out a long-range offensive - an experience that may come in handy in the very near future, given the aggravation of the international situation.
These exercises are held every year at about the same time, and the Japanese military are trying to use new equipment during their next visit to the center. First of all, artillerymen and tank units are trained. In Japan, it is extremely difficult to carry out such events due to the lack of flat space - the country consists of three quarters of mountain ranges, and the remaining third is either densely built up or allotted for the needs of agriculture.
Such restrictions are experienced only by the Ground Self-Defense Forces. Neither sailors nor pilots have problems with space for obvious reasons.
This year, Type-74 tanks (removed from service and replaced with the latest Type-10), M1128 wheeled tanks, helicopters and other equipment were seen at the test site. Interestingly, the M1128 is not in service with the Self-Defense Forces. Japan has its own MCV wheeled tank, which should enter service next year, 2016.
The training took place against the backdrop of heated political discussions in Tokyo regarding a new law expanding the powers of the Overseas Self-Defense Forces. This question is by no means an idle one. For six decades, the Japanese ground forces were exclusively engaged in the defense of their own islands. Now there is a shift towards the creation of a limited expeditionary force for operations on the territory of the Allies. On the basis of army units, the Marine Corps, liquidated in 1945, will be recreated.
Another important point is the release of the hostages. In 2013, 10 Japanese citizens were taken hostage in Algeria. In 2015, two more Japanese nationals became victims of ISIS militants. The previous interpretation of the Constitution did not allow the use of force to free them. Now this is possible, and during the exercises on Yakima, assaults of buildings were practiced.
In some stages, the US military also took part in what was happening, who, according to them, "are working out interaction with a technologically similar army." In the photo and video, the Americans are distinguished by gray camouflage, against the green in the Japanese. Otherwise, it can be difficult to distinguish, since there are many citizens of Asian origin serving in the US Armed Forces.
It is obvious that Japan continues to search for an optimal military model for itself, which will be adjusted based on the country's changing policy.
