Japan fires surface-to-ship missiles and sinks an old warship during major military exercises in waters between the Philippines and Taiwan, drawing a rebuke from China. Chinese authorities express anger at the missile firings, which occur as part of large-scale drills that include U.S. forces and also feature participation by troops from Australia and the Philippines, alongside Japanese units. Reporting also says contingents from several other countries take part in the exercises, including France, New Zealand and Canada.
The missile firings involve Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles, with the exercises conducted in the area around roughly 400 km off Taiwan. Japan’s actions are linked to a broader shift in Tokyo’s defense policy under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, described by outlets as moving toward a more muscular posture and building on changes from the post-World War II era. One account also notes the role of U.S. encouragement in Japan’s evolving security stance.
Overall, the sources align that the drills include multiple allied partners, that the missiles are launched during the exercise period, and that China reacts critically to the activity near Taiwan and the Philippines.
