May 21, 2026

The U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa on May 20 opened its training exercises involving suicide drones at the U.S. Camp Schwab in Okinawa’s Nago City to the Japanese media. According to the USMC, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force participated in a similar exercise in January of this year.

In response to a question from an Akahata reporter, USMC Major Brant Wayson, who led the training, said that they want to maintain close communication with the JGSDF so that they can conduct drone training at any time and thereby improve their capabilities together. Drone training with the JGSDF is also scheduled for next week. Wayson stated that he wishes to continue training with the JGSDF.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense plans to introduce a large number of attack drones, including Israeli-manufactured ones, into the SDF, and full-scale joint Japan-U.S. drone training may soon begin in Okinawa.

The USMC is seeking to strengthen its drone units with conflict with China in mind. In the context of expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) involving combat in China’s coastal areas using remote islands as bases, Major Wayson stated that drones can support long-range offensive strikes on both land and maritime targets.

His remarks suggest the possibility that Okinawa could become a staging ground for “drone warfare” in the future.

The use of suicide drones reduces the psychological barrier for soldiers to kill other human beings. In other words, war is becoming more brutal. This has been particularly evident in Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

In line with U.S. policies, it is highly likely that Japan will consider introducing drones capable of directly killing or injuring people. To prevent this from happening, a nationwide movement is essential.

Past related articles:
> JCP Tatsumi pushes gov’t to cancel plan to purchase Israeli-made drones used in Gaza [June 5, 2025]
> JCP Yamazoe: Stop introducing Israeli-made drones, benefiting Israeli war industry [March 13, 2024]