US Marines' 155mm Howitzer Drills Relocated from Okinawa to Yausubetsu for 10 Days Nov. 25–Dec. 6; Defense Minister Koizumi: "Reducing Okinawa's Burden

Tokyo, Japan

Live-fire artillery training with 155mm howitzers over Okinawa Prefectural Road Route 104 will be conducted in Hokkaido. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced at a post-cabinet meeting press conference on October 30 that the U.S. Marine Corps will conduct live-fire training at the Yausubetsu Training Area in Hokkaido for 10 days between November 25 and December 6. According to a notice released a day earlier on October 29 by Japan's Ministry of Defense, this drill is being relocated and dispersed to the mainland under the "155mm Howitzer Live-Fire Training over Okinawa Prefectural Road Route 104," involving a battalion-level force of approximately 600 personnel, roughly 140 vehicles, and 12 howitzers. Defense Minister Koizumi stated at the press conference that this training is being carried out in accordance with the SACO Final Report and "contributes to reducing the burden on Okinawa Prefecture." At the same press conference, Defense Minister Koizumi also answered questions regarding the plan to expand joint exercises confirmed during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth, as well as consultations on recurrence prevention following the arrest of an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine on charges of robbery and murder.

Ministry of Defense Announced Schedule with Troops Arriving in Mid-November and Withdrawing in Mid-December

According to the Ministry of Defense notice, the training unit will arrive at the Yausubetsu Training Area in mid-November. The firing period spans 12 days from November 25 to December 6, of which 10 days will be actual firing days and 2 days will be reserve days. The unit will depart the training area in mid-December. The Ministry of Defense described the scale of the exercise as "battalion level," noting that the figures of approximately 600 personnel, roughly 140 vehicles, and 12 artillery pieces include support units. The Ministry of Defense added the proviso that "these details are subject to change in the future."

According to the fiscal year 2026 training plan published by the Ministry of Defense on January 23, this year's dispersed implementation was structured into four iterations. The first iteration was scheduled for April to June at the Kitafuji Training Area, the second for July to September at the Higashifuji Training Area, the third for October to December at the Yausubetsu Training Area, and the fourth for January to March of the following year at the Hijudai Training Area. At the time, the Ministry of Defense stated that specific schedules for each training area would be "determined going forward through coordination between Japan and the U.S.," and noted that plans "may be altered or cancelled."

Notices for the previous two training iterations also remain available on the Ministry of Defense website. According to the April 17 notice, the Kitafuji training designated 8 days as firing days out of a 10-day firing period from May 18 to May 27, with a company-level scale of approximately 300 personnel, roughly 40 vehicles, and 6 artillery pieces. According to the July 31 notice, the Higashifuji training designated 10 days as firing days out of a 12-day firing period from September 11 to September 22, with a battalion-level scale of approximately 600 personnel, roughly 130 vehicles, and 12 artillery pieces.

According to a U.S. Marine Corps photo caption published on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), "Artillery Relocation Training Program (ARTP) 25.1" of this program was also conducted at the Yausubetsu Training Area in June 2025, during which the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division fired M777 howitzers. In the photo caption, the U.S. Marine Corps stated that this program was established pursuant to SACO to relocate live-fire artillery training from Okinawa to mainland Japan.

According to SACO explanatory materials from the Ministry of Defense, the Japanese government established the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) between Japan and the U.S. in 1995 as public attention on Okinawa issues heightened following an "unfortunate incident" and other developments that year. After approximately one year of intensive review, SACO finalized its Final Report in 1996. The Ministry of Defense explains the Final Report across four categories: return of land, adjustment of training and operational procedures, noise reduction, and improvement of Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) procedures. In the "Adjustment of Training and Operational Procedures" category, the Ministry of Defense's progress status table lists the relocation of live-fire artillery training over Route 104 as "relocated to five mainland training areas in fiscal year 1997" and parachute jump training as "relocated training conducted at Ie Jima Auxiliary Airfield since July 2000."

Defense Minister Koizumi Used Expression "Heavy Base Burden for Over 80 Years Postwar"

At the press conference held from 8:43 a.m. to 8:47 a.m. on October 30 at the House of Councillors Annex, Defense Minister Koizumi announced this exercise at the very beginning. Defense Minister Koizumi stated that this training disperses and conducts "U.S. Marine Corps live-fire training that used to be carried out by blocking Okinawa Prefectural Road Route 104" across five Self-Defense Forces training areas on the mainland in accordance with the SACO Final Report. Defense Minister Koizumi noted that this approach contributes to alleviating the burden on Okinawa Prefecture in terms of "reducing risks associated with conducting training and securing smooth traffic flow."

Defense Minister Koizumi said, "We take heavily to heart that the people of Okinawa continue to bear a heavy base burden even now, more than 80 years after the war." Defense Minister Koizumi stated, "The Ministry of Defense will steadily implement measures to reduce the base burden, one by one, going forward." Defense Minister Koizumi said that the "understanding and cooperation" of local residents around the Yausubetsu Training Area hosting the drill "are important," adding, "We will make every effort to ensure safety while striving to keep the impact on the local community to a minimum."

According to the website of the Tohoku Defense Bureau under the Ministry of Defense, residents of Okinawa Prefecture long demanded a halt to firing over Route 104 due to road traffic closures and training hazards each time exercises took place. Accepting this, Japan and the U.S. agreed to cease this training at Okinawa's Camp Hansen starting in fiscal year 1997 and disperse it to five mainland training areas: Yausubetsu (Hokkaido), Ojojihara (Miyagi Prefecture), Kitafuji (Yamanashi Prefecture), Higashifuji (Shizuoka Prefecture), and Hijudai (Oita Prefecture). The Tohoku Defense Bureau noted that drills have been conducted since fiscal year 1997 with the understanding of relevant municipalities across the five training areas, and that this measure eliminated traffic closures on Route 104, thereby removing disruptions to the daily lives of local residents. The Tohoku Defense Bureau stated that during unit deployments, it requests the U.S. military to ensure the "highest level of discipline," shares information with local municipalities, and conducts patrols around the training areas.

According to the official X account of the Ministry of Defense Press Secretary, the Q&A session at that day's press conference addressed two topics: "Japan-U.S. Joint Exercises" and "Incidents Involving U.S. Servicemembers."

Defense Minister Koizumi Said U.S.-Japan Joint Exercises Will Advance "With an Even Greater Sense of Urgency"

One reporter, citing the confirmation to advance joint training "including additional firing exercises" during the U.S.-Japan defense ministerial meeting held in Cebu, Philippines on October 28, asked whether live-fire exercises for the U.S. military's Typhon medium-range missile system and the Ground Self-Defense Force's Type 25 surface-to-ship missile could be included. Defense Minister Koizumi replied, "We will continue Japan-U.S. coordination going forward regarding the specific details of joint training." Defense Minister Koizumi stated, "We intend to enrich joint training so that we can respond to any contingencies."

Defense Minister Koizumi stated that amid an increasingly severe security environment, the two countries have expanded "more advanced and realistic joint exercises than before" to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Citing the Japan-U.S. bilateral joint exercise Keen Sword as a recent example, Defense Minister Koizumi noted that the "largest-ever temporary deployment of Japan-U.S. forces" took place. Defense Minister Koizumi stated that based on these achievements, during his meeting with Secretary Hegseth, he welcomed the strengthening of the alliance's posture and capabilities through the progress of joint exercises across Japan. Defense Minister Koizumi said, "I want to move forward with efforts regarding these advanced and realistic joint exercises, including more firing exercises, with an even greater sense of urgency."

The same phrasing appeared in the summary of the U.S.-Japan defense ministerial meeting released by the Ministry of Defense on October 28. According to the summary, the two ministers welcomed the progress in joint training, including the "largest-ever temporary deployment of Japan-U.S. forces" in the October Japan-U.S. bilateral joint exercise Keen Sword 27. The two ministers agreed to pursue such joint exercises "with an even greater sense of urgency, including additional firing exercises."

Defense Minister Koizumi Said Measures to Prevent Recurrence of Marine Incident Will Be Concluded "as Soon as Possible"

Another reporter pointed out that one month will have passed on November 3 since the arrest of an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine on charges of robbery and murder, yet no specific recurrence prevention measures have been announced, asking for Defense Minister Koizumi's thoughts. The reporter also asked for an assessment of previously implemented recurrence prevention measures, such as the liberty system and joint patrols. Defense Minister Koizumi responded, "According to announcements from the U.S. side, I understand that behavioral guidelines will be reviewed more thoroughly going forward."

Defense Minister Koizumi said, "Japan and the U.S. are currently holding discussions, primarily among senior-level working officials, on how to take effective measures to prevent incidents from occurring." Defense Minister Koizumi stated, "While I will refrain from prejudging the outcome of the discussions, I want to reach conclusions as soon as possible, and announce and implement them as each is finalized." Defense Minister Koizumi added, "Japan and the U.S. will continue thorough reviews going forward."

According to the transcript of the October 6 press conference released by the Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Koizumi lodged a direct protest with the Commander of U.S. Forces Japan on October 4. At the same press conference, Defense Minister Koizumi stated, "I feel strong indignation over the occurrence of such a cruel and heinous crime and the arrest of a U.S. servicemember." Defense Minister Koizumi conveyed that the U.S. side also expressed its commitment to cooperate with Japanese investigative authorities and "respond with transparency." Defense Minister Koizumi said that on October 5, four Diet members elected from Okinawa demanded specific and effective measures to prevent recurrence. According to the transcript of the October 9 press conference, Defense Minister Koizumi met with Okinawa Governor Kenta Koja on October 7, stating that he strongly protested to the U.S. side and demanded full cooperation with the investigation, establishment of discipline, thorough prevention of recurrence, and appropriate measures for the bereaved family. At the same press conference, Defense Minister Koizumi shared details announced by the U.S. military that Lt. Gen. Watson, Okinawa Area Coordinator for U.S. Forces Japan, ordered a 48-hour operational stand-down and a ban on off-base liberty and alcohol consumption for all U.S. servicemembers in Okinawa from 12:00 p.m. on October 7 to 12:00 p.m. on October 9, followed by a midnight curfew during a 30-day period of mourning beginning October 9. Defense Minister Koizumi said he was briefed by the U.S. military that while routine military activities for Okinawa-based U.S. forces would be suspended during this period, contingency response and readiness in and around Okinawa would be maintained. Defense Minister Koizumi said he understood these measures as "a demonstration that the U.S. side is taking the incident gravely and responding swiftly to establish discipline and prevent occurrences."

The U.S. Marine Corps III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) wrote on its official X account on October 9 that over the past 48 hours, commanders engaged in deliberate discussions with troops on standards, discipline, liberty, and responsibilities while serving in Japan, and that servicemembers would transition into a 30-day "period of reflection" directed by the Okinawa Area Coordinator. On October 7, III MEF posted that Lt. Gen. Watson met with U.S. commanders in Okinawa to discuss the operational pause, period of reflection, standards and discipline, and expectations for "responsible liberty." On October 16, III MEF posted that Lt. Gen. Watson convened the Okinawa Area Coordinating Committee to review liberty and force protection measures and identify additional actions to reinforce standards, discipline, and accountability across the force.

According to the transcript of the October 9 press conference, Governor Koja demanded of Defense Minister Koizumi that "effective and fundamental measures be devised so that such tragic incidents never happen again." In the October 6 press conference, when asked about a deadline for preparing recurrence prevention measures, Defense Minister Koizumi answered, "Deciding what to do and by when must be determined directly after speaking with the governor."

Sources (KST)

• Ministry of Defense of Japan, "(Notice) Regarding the Dispersed Implementation of 155mm Howitzer Live-Fire Training over Okinawa Prefectural Road Route 104 (Yausubetsu Training Area)" (2026-10-29): https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2026/10/29a.html
• Ministry of Defense of Japan, "Defense Minister Press Conference" (2026-10-30 08:43–08:47): https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/kisha/2026/1030a.html
• Ministry of Defense of Japan, "Regarding the Dispersed Implementation of Live-Fire Training over Okinawa Prefectural Road Route 104 (Fiscal Year 2026 Training Plan)" (2026-01-23): https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2026/01/23a.html
• Ministry of Defense of Japan, "...Regarding Dispersed Implementation (Kitafuji Training Area)" (2026-04-17): https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2026/04/17c.html
• Ministry of Defense of Japan, "...Regarding Dispersed Implementation (Higashifuji Training Area)" (2026-07-31): https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2026/07/31b.html
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• Tohoku Defense Bureau, Ministry of Defense of Japan, "Dispersed Implementation of Live-Fire Training over Okinawa Prefectural Road Route 104": https://www.mod.go.jp/rdb/tohoku/effort/apply/implementation/index.html
• Ministry of Defense of Japan, "Defense Minister Press Conference" (2026-10-06): https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/kisha/2026/1006a.html
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• Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), "ARTP 25.1 | 3/12 Fires M777 Howitzers" (U.S. Marine Corps, captured 2025-06-14): https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9231604
• Press Secretary, Ministry of Defense of Japan X @PressSec_JMOD (2026-10-30), U.S. III Marine Expeditionary Force X @IIIMEF (2026-10-07, 10-09, 10-16; 10-07 post https://x.com/IIIMEF/status/2107722708129575142): URLs below the corresponding paragraphs in the body text