By Zi Ge

子歌

Japanese and US warships participate in the joint military exercise (file photo).

日美两国舰艇参加联合军事演习（资料图）。

Japan's Ministry of Defense has announced that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) will participate for the first time in the Valiant Shield exercise conducted by the US military in the Pacific region. This marks the inaugural involvement of a foreign nation since the exercise was launched in 2006, underscoring the deepening military integration between Japan and the US.

据日本防卫省消息，日本自卫队将首次参加美军在太平洋地区举行的“英勇盾牌”演习。这标志着该演习自2006年举办以来，首次出现除美国以外的参演国，凸显了日美军事一体化速度进一步加快。

The Valiant Shield is hailed as the most extensive and combat-oriented multi-service exercise conducted by the US military in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its inception in 2006, it has been held biennially in the waters near Guam. Historically, the exercise was exclusively attended by various services and arms of the US troops stationed in the Asia-Pacific region, with no involvement from other nations previously. Military personnel from allies were invited solely to observe. The primary objective of the exercise is to affirm the rapid response and multi-service joint combat capabilities of the US military and present them to its allies.

“英勇盾牌”演习号称是美军在亚太地区规模最大、实战化程度最高的多军种演习，自2006年起每两年在关岛附近海域举行一次。此前，该演习仅限于美军各军种、驻亚太地区部队参与，尚无其他国家参与的先例，但往届演习会视情况邀请部分国家的军方人士观摩，演习旨在检验并向盟友展示美军的快速反应和多军种联合作战能力。

The exercise typically brings together various armed forces of the US military in the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, Space Force, Special Operations Forces, and sometimes even the Coast Guard, with a total force deployment exceeding 20,000 personnel. Notably, the exercises in recent years have also involved the mobilization of two carrier battle groups. Operations, such as detection, positioning, tracking, and engagement, were conducted across sea, air, land, and cyberspace domains. Drills focused on subjects like long-range maritime fire-strikes, joint air defense and strikes, rapid force projection and demonstrations of combat systems.

该演习通常会集结美军在亚太地区的海军、空军、海军陆战队、陆军、太空和特种作战部队，甚至包括海岸警卫队，一般动用兵力超过两万人。近几届演习通常会出动两个航母编队，通过在海上、空中、陆地和网络空间进行探测、定位、跟踪和交战，演练如远程海上火力打击、联合防空与打击、兵力快速投送和作战系统演示验证等课目。

It has been the 10th time for Valiant Shield exercise this year, which is scheduled to take place from June 7 to 18. The JSDF intends to deploy around 4,000 personnel for participation. The exercise zone covers the places deployed with facilities owned by the JSDF and US military installations in Japan, extending to the waters surrounding Japan, sea areas spanning from Japan to the Philippines, and the waters adjacent to Hawaii, Guam and Palau. The JSDF will collaborate with the US military to conduct high-intensity tactical exercises in the waters surrounding Japan and within the JSDF bases.

今年的“英勇盾牌2024”是该系列演习的第10次，演练时间定于6月7日至18日。日本自卫队计划派出约4000人参加。演习区域涵盖日本自卫队所属设施及美军在日本的军事设施，并扩展至日本周边海域、从日本延伸至菲律宾的周边海域，以及夏威夷、关岛、帕劳周边海域等。日本自卫队将与美军协同，在日本周边海域和自卫队基地内进行高强度的战术演练。

Analysts have noted that the Valiant Shield exercise this year emphasizes the so-called "security cooperation in the Western Pacific region" with invitation for the JSDF for the first time. This strategic move indicates clear intentions of the US military.

分析人士指出，今年的演习突出强调所谓“西太平洋地区的安全合作”，邀请日本自卫队深度参与，其意图十分明显。

From the US perspective, this gesture aims to further integrate the JSDF into the US military's joint operational system, making it assume greater responsibilities within the alliance. Recently, the US and Japan have upgraded the Japan-US Security Treaty, restructured the US military command in Japan, and enhanced the operational command authority of US forces stationed in Japan. The goal is to strengthen the collaborative operational capabilities between the US forces in Japan and the JSDF. The possibility remains open that in specific future strategic deterrence scenarios, the US military may contemplate allowing the JSDF to assume a leading role.

从美国的角度来看，此举意在推动日本自卫队进一步融入美军联合作战体系，在同盟中承担更大责任。近期美国与日本升级《日美安保条约》，重组驻日美军司令部，同时提高驻日美军的作战指挥权限，旨在加强驻日美军与日本自卫队的协同作战能力，未来不排除美军让日本自卫队在某些战略威慑场景中“打头阵”的可能。

From the Japanese viewpoint, this exercise marks a significant shift for the JSDF, from a supportive role to a direct participator, seemingly edging closer to breaking free from the constraints imposed by Japan's pacifist Constitution. In recent years, the JSDF has progressively engaged in joint exercises led by the US military, aiming to achieve its aspirations for outward-oriented development and becoming a de-facto component of the operational forces in the US military planning.

从日本的角度来看，通过此次演习，日本自卫队从支援保障角色转变为直接参与者，似乎离彻底摆脱和平宪法限制又近了一步。近年来，日本自卫队频繁参与美军主导的联合演习，以实现其追求的“外向型”发展目标，并从事实上成为美军作战计划中作战力量的组成部分。

Analysts highlight that the Valiant Shield 2024 exercise features evident targets, intentions and ambitions. The frequent joint military exercises carried out by Japan and the US will undoubtedly undermine the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

分析人士指出，“英勇盾牌2024”演习针对性强，企图和野心不言而喻，日美两国频繁进行联合军演，将破坏亚太地区的和平与稳定。