Explosive War Games Near Taiwan: U.S. and Japanese Troops Stage Large-Scale Missile Strike Exercise

The largest exercise ever

At the U.S.-China summit held on May 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping (72) declared that the Taiwan issue was the most important issue in U.S.-China relations, warning President Donald Trump (79) that if mishandled, the two countries could end up in confrontation and conflict, creating an extremely dangerous situation.

According to Trump, much of the meeting focused on Taiwanese independence, with Xi pressing the United States over arms sales to Taiwan and the potential deployment of U.S. forces in the event of a conflict.

There was a reason Xi was so persistent in warning Washington. Just before the summit began, the U.S. military was leading a massive multinational exercise based on a Taiwan contingency scenario.

A truck pulled up near the shoreline. Camouflaged troops jumped out as the vehicle’s rear launcher platform was raised into position.

Mounted on it were launch canisters for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile.

With a thunderous roar, two missiles were fired in quick succession, streaking through the sky before striking a target vessel about 75 kilometers offshore within minutes. The damaged enemy ship was then attacked by nearby U.S. and Philippine aircraft and naval vessels before ultimately sinking beneath the waves.

The photographs published here were taken during “Balikatan 26,” a multinational joint exercise held from April 20 to May 8 on Luzon Island, Palawan Island, and elsewhere in the Philippines.

“Balikatan began in 1981 as a U.S.-Philippines joint exercise focused on counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations. However, as China’s military expansion in the Indo-Pacific accelerated, the exercise shifted beginning in 2023 toward scenarios involving China.

This year’s drills, which strongly suggested preparation for a Taiwan contingency, included not only the United States and the Philippines but also Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. Including observer nations, 21 countries and roughly 17,000 personnel participated, making it the largest Balikatan exercise ever held.

Japan took part on a full-scale basis for the first time. The Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces deployed a total of 1,400 personnel, making Japan the third-largest contributor after the United States and the Philippines.

One of the deployed units was the 1st Artillery Brigade, equipped with the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile. This marked the first time the missile had been fired in the Philippines, and it was also the first live-fire launch—rather than a training round—in decades,” said a senior Ground Self-Defense Force official.

Where the exercise were conducted

China made no attempt to hide its displeasure even before Balikatan 26 began.

The target ship that was sunk at the start of the exercise had been positioned in waters near the Bashi Channel, which lies between Taiwan and the Philippines. This strategic waterway is a key passage for Chinese naval vessels entering the Pacific Ocean and is located just 400 kilometers from northern Luzon to Taiwan.

On Palawan Island, U.S., Philippine, Australian, and New Zealand forces conducted clearing operations simulating the repulsion of an enemy amphibious landing. The soldiers’ weapons were aimed toward the South China Sea, where China unilaterally claims sovereignty and has constructed artificial islands. The live-fire exercise took place only about 600 kilometers from Scarborough Shoal, which is under China’s effective control. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned:

“Japan should not flaunt its military power in various places and undermine regional stability.”

Following Balikatan 26, held near Taiwan—an issue President Xi Jinping regards as China’s most important concern—Xi urged the United States to stay out of Taiwan affairs. President Trump, however, commented only that:

“I simply listened. I made no clear concessions, guarantees, or promises.”

He also added:

“The United States does not want a war 9,500 miles away.”

Meanwhile, security ties between Japan and the Philippines have continued to deepen. There is now growing momentum toward exporting the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile, which was used in the live-fire exercise, to the Philippines. Japan has already exported Air Self-Defense Force air surveillance radar systems to the country, and exports of Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and the Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle are also under consideration.

Around Taiwan, the strategic interests and calculations of multiple nations continue to converge and compete.

From the June 5-12, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”