United States Forces Japan (USFJ)

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Potential third-party combatant in any escalation; currently providing political backing but staying publicly in the background

In early December 2025, China's Liaoning carrier strike group sailed through waters near Japan's southwest island chain and into the western Pacific. Over two days, between Okinawa's main island and Minamidaito and then east of Kikai Island, it conducted roughly 100 take-offs and landings of J-15 fighters and helicopters.

Updated May 10