The 2026 Japan-US-Australia joint military exercise will be held, enhancing the three-way coordination and combat capabilities.

【Japan Ministry of Defense: Will Hold Annual US-Japan-Australia Joint Military Exercise】

According to a report from the Japan Ministry of Defense's General Staff Office on January 20, 2026: The Japan Self-Defense Forces will carry out the "2026 Japan-US Joint Unified Exercise (Command Post Exercise)" as follows. This exercise is based on the strong Japan-US relationship, aiming to confirm the immediate response posture of the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, and to improve their interoperability. In addition, the Australian military will also participate in this exercise. Through this exercise, the Self-Defense Forces, U.S. military, and Australian forces will maintain and strengthen their capabilities and postures to actively contribute to regional peace and stability.

I. Exercise Objectives

Exercise and verify the joint response of Japan and the United States under various situations and the unified operations of the Self-Defense Forces, maintaining and improving the capability of joint unified operations.

II. Exercise Time

January 29 to February 5, 2026.

III. Exercise Location

The Shiga area of the Japan Ministry of Defense and other locations where participating units are stationed, U.S. military facilities in Japan, and the Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base in Hawaii, USA.

IV. Exercise Commanders

(1) Self-Defense Forces: Chief of the General Staff, Air General Hiroaki Uchikura

(2) U.S. Forces: Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Paparo

V. Participating Units

(1) Japan Self-Defense Forces

Ground Self-Defense Forces: Ground Force Headquarters, various regional commands, etc.

Maritime Self-Defense Forces: Fleet, various local commands, etc.

Air Self-Defense Forces: Air Force Headquarters, Air Support Group, etc.

Combined Forces: Combined Operations Command, Self-Defense Forces Intelligence Security Unit, Self-Defense Forces Cyber Defense Unit, Self-Defense Forces Maritime Transport Group

General Staff Office and internal departments, various General Staff Offices, and the Intelligence Bureau

(2) Foreign Armies

U.S. and Australian Forces

VI. Other

The Japan-US Joint Unified Exercise has been held since 1985, alternating roughly annually between field exercises and command post exercises. This command post exercise is the 26th, and the Australian military will participate as a participating unit.

【Follow this Toutiao account for more military news】

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854826552669193/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.