# Balikatan Exercises
Latest news and articles about Balikatan Exercises
Total: 4 articles found
Shadows of 1945: Japan’s Missile Tests in the Philippines Stir Memories of Imperial Brutality
Japan's recent firing of surface-to-ship missiles in the Philippines marks its first offensive military exercise abroad since WWII, sparking intense historical reflection and local protest. The move highlights the tension between Manila's modern security alignment with Tokyo and the lingering trauma of the Japanese occupation and the Manila Massacre.
Strategic Caution: Why Japan Chose a Cold War Relic for its Historic Missile Test in the Philippines
Japan conducted its first overseas offensive missile launch in the Philippines, opting for the aging Type 88 system to establish a military precedent while minimizing immediate escalation. The test in Northern Luzon signals a strategic shift in Japan's defense posture, directly targeting key maritime chokepoints used by the Chinese navy.
Manila Doubles Down on Alliances as Balikatan Exercises Test Beijing’s Red Lines
The Philippines has launched its largest-ever 'Balikatan' military exercise, integrating Japan into combat roles and deepening ties with the U.S. despite regional tensions. Beijing has responded with naval drills and warnings against 'extraterritorial interference,' while Manila pursues new defense acquisitions from Tokyo.
Breaking the Eighty-Year Silence: Japan’s Military Return to the Philippines
Japan has deployed 420 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to the Philippines for the Balikatan 2026 exercises, marking its first full-scale military participation on Philippine soil since WWII. This move, facilitated by the recently enacted Reciprocal Access Agreement, underscores a burgeoning trilateral security alignment between Washington, Tokyo, and Manila.