Overview

• Japanese marines conducted a simulated attack on the island of Tokunoshima, seen as vulnerable to China, as part of an 11-day series of nationwide exercises.
• The exercises, dubbed 05JX, aimed to demonstrate the readiness of Japan's ground, sea, and air forces to defend its territory and infrastructure.
• Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced Japan's biggest military buildup since World War II, with plans to double defence spending over five years.
• Kishida has warned that East Asia could be the next Ukraine, if China, emboldened by Russia's assault on its neighbour, attacks Taiwan.
• The yen's sharp decline this year has forced Japan to cut back on some planned purchases, including new models of the US-made Chinook helicopters.