Ministry of Defense to conduct maritime firing exercises for JSDF vessels in five sea areas nationwide from late August to September

The Ministry of Defense announced in the Official Gazette dated August 26, 2026, that maritime firing exercises by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels will be conducted from August 31 to September 11. According to Ministry of Defense Notices No. 219 through No. 225, issued in the name of Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi, the exercises will take place in sea areas across the country, including south of Nojimazaki, southeast of Hachijojima, west of the Tsugaru Strait, and north of Wakasa Bay.

The notices were published in the Official Gazette to provide navigation safety information to vessel and aircraft operators around the exercise areas, as well as to coastal residents. Each exercise will be conducted after confirming that no aircraft are present in the specified areas and no vessels are present on the firing surface; during the exercises, the participating vessels will hoist the “B” flag. The latitude and longitude of the areas are indicated using the World Geodetic System.

Exercise Areas and Schedules

• South of Nojimazaki (Notice No. 220): Daily 0600–2200 from August 31 to September 3, 6, and 7 (Reserve days: 8–10), 10 JMSDF vessels
• Southeast of Hachijojima (Notice No. 221): Daily 0600–2200 from August 31 to September 3, 6, and 7 (Reserve days: 8–10), 10 JMSDF vessels
• North of Wakasa Bay (Notice No. 223): Daily 0800–1700 from September 7 to 11, 9 JMSDF vessels
• West of the Tsugaru Strait (Notice No. 225): Daily 0600–1800 on September 2 and 3 (Reserve day: 4), 9 JMSDF vessels

Other Exercise Areas

• South of the Bungo Channel (Notice No. 219): 0600–1800 on September 9, 10 JMSDF vessels
• South of the Goto Islands (Notice No. 222): Daily 0800–1700 from August 31 to September 2, and September 7 to 11 (Reserve days: 3, 4), 9 JMSDF vessels
• East of the Tsugaru Strait (Notice No. 224): Daily 0600–1800 on September 2 and 3 (Reserve day: 4), 9 JMSDF vessels

Safety Measures

• Firing exercises will be conducted after confirming that no aircraft are present in the specified areas and no vessels are present on the firing surface.
• The “B” flag will be hoisted on the participating vessels during the exercises.
• The latitude and longitude of the area coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System.

Vessel and aircraft operators navigating around the exercise areas, as well as coastal residents, should check the areas and periods indicated in the Official Gazette and remain mindful of safety. Particular caution is required as there are overlapping periods in certain areas, specifically south of Nojimazaki and southeast of Hachijojima from August 31 to September 7, and north of Wakasa Bay from September 7 to 11.

Source: Ministry of Defense Notices No. 219–225, “Maritime firing exercises will be conducted as follows” (Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi), published in the Official Gazette (dated August 26, 2026).