Japanese defense minister to observe ‘Balikatan’

Shinjiro Koizumi will watch the Japan’s indigenous shore-to-ship missile destroy a moving target in the waters off Ilocos Norte next month.

Photo from Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s official X account.

Manuel Mogato | April 16, 2026

MANILA — Japan’s defense minister will personally witness the Philippines and its allies sink an old navy warship in northern Luzon as part of the three-week annual combined and joint “Balikatan” exercises, an Army spokesman said.

Shinjiro Koizumi will watch the Japan’s indigenous shore-to-ship missile destroy a moving target in the waters off Ilocos Norte next month, the culmination of military drills among the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the United States.

Marine Colonel Dennis Hernandez said Japan will display the coordination between its coastal radar system and shore-to-ship, SM-1 Type 88, missile during the drills.

Hernandez said this is the first time Japan will be participating in actual drills with live fire demonstration of its capabilities. (Also read: The Philippines holds Army drills with allies)

“This time they will be participating on the ground, especially in the live fire exercise where they will fire their Type 88 shore-to-ship missile,” said Hernandez, in the maritime strike exercises on May 6 in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

“No less than the Defense Minister of Japan will observe the activity.”

Hernandez said Japan’s involvement in past Balikatan exercises was limited to humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities. (Also read: PH-Japan deeper cooperation no longer by choice ‘but requirement’ in current climate, say experts)

Two days before the maritime strike, combined and joint allied forces will rehearse a major counter landing drills, testing the combat readiness to repulse an amphibious assault in the same area.

A similar counter landing exercises will be held in Palawan while an integrated air defense missile drills will be held in Zambales, testing the US Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS).

Hernandes said more than 17,000 troops from the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, and United States, will take part in this year’s iteration of Balikatan exercise, beginning Monday. At least 18 other allied countries will join as observers.

He said the multilateral exercises will focus on territorial defense exercise and will be held at various training areas, mostly on mainland Luzon and Palawan.

A multinational naval force will also hold maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea with two Philippine guided-missile frigates, a US cutter and a dock landing ship, two Japanese destroyers and a tank landing ship, and a Canadian frigate.

Hernandez said the number of troops taking part in this year’s Balikatan exercise was second highest since 2023.

Last year’s Balikatan was participated in by around 14,000 personnel.

“Basically, what we have mentioned is 17,000 plus participants. These are participants for the Balikatan exercise coming from the different participating nations or countries,” said Hernandez.

US Marine Colonel Robert Bunn, Balikatan exercise spokesman, said the Balikitan exercise “represents an opportunity to showcase our ironclad alliance with the Philippines and demonstrate our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”