By KAIGO NARISAWA/ Staff Writer
August 17, 2022 at 15:23 JST
Defense Ministry officials announced on Aug. 16 that the Maritime Self-Defense Force joined a controversial ballistic missile defense exercise off Hawaii with the United States, South Korea and two other nations.
It is the first time in years that the government has officially announced the politically charged biennial exercise, which comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in East Asia.
Defense Ministry officials said the exercise took place between Aug. 8 and 14. It was held in conjunction with one of the world’s largest international maritime drills, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC).
Pacific Dragon included the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Canadian Navy this year. The participating navies deployed Aegis destroyers and frigates, shared intelligence on detecting and tracking ballistic missiles and simulated interceptions, according to officials.
Some Defense Ministry officials refer to Pacific Dragon as “an extremely political exercise” because decisions about whether to announce publicly that it will be held are based on the state of international relations at the time.
Pacific Dragon was first held in June 2016, but subsequent exercises in 2018 and 2020 were never officially disclosed. That was because the South Korean government, under then President Moon Jae-in, was promoting a conciliatory approach toward North Korea at the time. But times have changed.
South Korea was initially wary about becoming involved in Pacific Dragon in the first place, according to sources. But it joined after North Korea intensified its threats through missile launches and nuclear testing.
The decision to announce this year’s exercise was largely due to the inauguration in May of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his conservative administration. Yoon has emphasized strengthening military cooperation with the United States and Japan and has taken a hard line on North Korea.
This year’s exercise follows a flurry of missile activity from North Korea. So far, it has launched an annual record of 28 ballistic missiles.
The nations organizing the defensive drill made sure to telegraph the event well in advance.
When the defense ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea met in June, they announced they would be holding Pacific Dragon this year.
“The exercise was agreed to in the June meeting and we want to further deepen cooperation among the three nations,” Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said at his Aug. 16 news conference.
SDF sources said the training exercise has strengthened cooperation among the rank and file of the participating nations.
Japan to resume joint military drills with U.S. and South Korea
June 12, 2022
Defense white paper warns of Russia-China cooperation
July 22, 2022
Abe’s death leaves behind huge vacuum in key policy areas
July 9, 2022
South Korea wants sharing of military intel to return to normal
June 14, 2022
Kishi voices concerns about China’s military drills near Japan
June 13, 2022
Japan shuns Russia in fleet review and naval symposium
June 8, 2022
Stories about memories of cherry blossoms solicited from readers
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
A series on the death of a Japanese woman that sparked a debate about criminal justice policy in the United States
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Haguro Aegis destroyer, which took part in this year's Pacific Dragon exercise (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
