Translation guide
A planned activity by armed forces to practice or demonstrate military capabilities.
A scheduled activity where troops practice combat skills, maneuvers, or procedures.
General term for military exercises, drills, or maneuvers. Used for both small-scale training and large-scale joint exercises.
自衛隊は大規模な演習を行った。
The Self-Defense Forces conducted a large-scale military exercise.
来月、海上演習が予定されている。
A maritime exercise is scheduled for next month.
Training or drill, often used for routine skill-building rather than large-scale maneuvers. Can refer to individual or unit training.
新兵は毎日厳しい訓練を受ける。
New recruits undergo rigorous training every day.
Explicitly 'military exercise', often used in news or formal contexts to distinguish from civilian drills.
隣国が国境付近で軍事演習を開始した。
The neighboring country started military exercises near the border.
An exercise involving multiple branches of a nation's military or forces from different countries.
Joint exercise, often between different countries' militaries or different branches.
日米共同演習が毎年行われている。
Japan-U.S. joint exercises are held every year.
Combined exercise, similar to 共同演習 but often implies a larger scale or integration of forces.
陸海空合同演習が実施された。
A joint army, navy, and air force exercise was conducted.
An exercise involving actual use of weapons or realistic combat scenarios.
Live-fire exercise, using real ammunition.
実弾演習のため、その海域は封鎖された。
The sea area was closed off for live-fire exercises.
Field exercise, conducted outside in a natural or simulated battlefield environment.
部隊は一週間の野外演習に出た。
The unit went on a week-long field exercise.
A major exercise simulating war scenarios, often involving thousands of troops and complex operations.
Grand maneuver or large-scale exercise, often used historically or for very big events.
陸軍大演習が明治時代に行われた。
Grand army maneuvers were held in the Meiji era.
Simulated combat exercise, often using laser tag systems or blanks.
模擬戦闘演習で最新の装備がテストされた。
The latest equipment was tested in a simulated combat exercise.
演習 (exercise) implies a planned, often large-scale event to practice operations, while 訓練 (training) is more about skill acquisition and can be routine. 演習 is closer to 'military exercise' in the sense of maneuvers, whereas 訓練 is 'training' or 'drill'.
In news reports, 軍事演習 is the standard term for 'military exercise', especially when referring to exercises by foreign militaries or politically sensitive events.