Overview
- The Japan Ground Self‑Defense Force held its largest live‑fire exercise at East Fuji on Sunday, June 7, using about 69.5 tons of ammunition and roughly 3,000 personnel to rehearse island‑defense and counterattack scenarios.
- For the first time the service displayed the vehicle launcher for the 25‑type high‑speed glide munition, a long‑range, stand‑off weapon tied to plans for counter‑strike options rather than to a routine artillery role.
- The program included demonstrations of drone countermeasures, including troops shooting down a flying reconnaissance drone with an auto‑aim rifle, reflecting lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
- Live firing by the Type 10 main battle tank was withheld and the vehicle only performed mobility runs after a fatal ammunition rupture at Hijūdai training ground in April prompted safety reviews and operational limits.
- Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi inspected the drill and said establishing a new national defense posture is urgent; the exercise also served training, public information and recruitment goals and could sharpen regional signaling about Japan's strike and deterrence options.