Jesse Johnson - The Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Mar 4, 2017

China to boost defense spending by 'about 7%' in 2017 amid 'outside meddling' in maritime disputes

China will boost its defense budget by "around 7 percent" this year, a top official said Saturday, as Beijing seeks to inject more cash into its increasingly modern military amid "outside meddling" in territorial disputes in the East and South China seas.

JAPAN

Mar 3, 2017

ASDF scrambles jets as China sends more fighters and bombers through Miyako Strait

Japan scrambled fighters jets Thursday after China's navy carried out a large-scale drill through a strategic entryway into the Western Pacific between the islands of Miyako and Okinawa — part of Beijing's growing push to project its military clout farther into the Pacific.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Mar 1, 2017

In speech to Congress, Trump urges military allies to do more — a demand Abe may welcome

In U.S. President Donald Trump's first address to Congress, he used the speech to remind security allies — including Japan — they must “pay their fair share” of the alliances' costs.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Feb 26, 2017

Did North Korea kill Kim Jong Nam with VX nerve agent to send a signal to its enemies?

Last week's stunning revelation that the deadly VX nerve agent was used to kill the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader at a crowded air terminal in Malaysia has thrown a spotlight on Pyongyang's chemical weapons arsenal — and raised questions of whether the operation was a purposeful but...

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Feb 24, 2017

Beijing continuing 'steady pattern of militarization' in South China Sea

New satellite imagery appears to confirm a report earlier this week that China has nearly completed structures intended to house surface-to-air missile systems on its three largest outposts in the disputed Spratly chain of the South China Sea — "part of a steady pattern of Chinese militarization" there....

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 23, 2017

North Korean state media lambastes key ally China for 'dancing to tune of U.S.'

North Korean state-run media on Thursday served up a scathing critique of China over its recent rebuke of Pyongyang's first missile test of the year and Beijing's decision to halt imports of coal from the hermit nation, saying the moves showed China "is dancing to the tune of the U.S."

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 21, 2017

In first official comments, Beijing voices displeasure with U.S. carrier patrols in South China Sea

China voiced its opposition Tuesday to freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea by foreign countries that it says threaten its sovereignty — the first official comments by Beijing since a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group began patrols in the strategic waterway.

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 19, 2017

U.S. carrier group begins 'routine patrol' of tense South China Sea

In a move likely to stoke the ire of Beijing, the U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group 1, which includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, began what the navy called "routine operations" in the contested South China Sea on Saturday.

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 18, 2017

China eyes law to bar some foreign ships from passing through territorial waters

In a move that could have ramifications for U.S. "freedom of navigation" operations in the disputed South China Sea, Beijing is set to revise a key maritime law to bar some foreign ships from passing through Chinese territorial waters.

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 16, 2017

China warns U.S. against more patrols in disputed South China Sea

Beijing warned Washington on Wednesday not to challenge its sovereignty in the South China Sea amid reports that the U.S. Navy was gearing up to sail more warships near China's man-made islands in the contested waters.

JAPAN

Feb 15, 2017

Ties to Japan may factor in Kim Jong Nam's mysterious murder

Fears by Kim Jong Un over his legitimacy as North Korea's hereditary leader due to his grandfather's work in a Japanese military factory may have had a role in brother's murder.

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 14, 2017

U.S. to send stealth fighters, nuclear sub for military drills with South Korea next month: report

Just two days after North Korea's test-firing of a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile, defense officials in Seoul said Tuesday that the United States would send key strategic assets to the South for joint military exercises scheduled for next month, a report said.

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 13, 2017

North Korea missile test delivers early challenge to Trump and Abe

North Korea says it successfully test-fired a new missile, presenting the administration of President Donald Trump with an early foreign policy challenge and testing his commitment to U.S. allies in Asia.

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 10, 2017

U.S., Chinese military planes in 'unsafe' encounter over disputed South China Sea

A U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft and a Chinese military plane were involved in an "unsafe" encounter earlier this week in international airspace over the disputed South China Sea, the U.S. Pacific Command said Friday.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Feb 8, 2017

Task force report highlights 'precarious' Sino-U.S. ties, urges visit to Japan, China to help repair relations

To better signal that the U.S. has not backed away from its role as an Asia-Pacific nation amid China's rise, President Donald Trump and his senior advisers should visit U.S. ally Japan as soon as possible, according to a new report by an expert task force detailing China policy recommendations for the...

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 7, 2017

Behind the scenes, Tillerson tones down rhetoric on South China Sea

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appears to have toned down his unexpectedly stern words on China's actions in the disputed South China Sea made during his confirmation hearings, an apparently leaked document has shown.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS

Feb 5, 2017

North Korea offers first foreign test to Trump administration

As U.S. President Donald Trump grapples with domestic crises and transition issues, the country that is widely seen as representing his largest foreign policy challenge is gearing up some 10,000 km away to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the United States.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 31, 2017

Mattis reaffirms pledge to defend South Korea against 'evolving' North Korean threat

U.S. defense chief James Mattis spoke with his South Korean counterpart over the telephone Monday to reaffirm Washington's commitment to defending its Asian ally, the Pentagon said in a statement, amid concerns over North Korea's nuclear program.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 28, 2017

North Korea appears to have restarted plutonium reactor, think tank says

North Korea appears to have restarted plutonium production for its nuclear weapons program at its main Nyongbyon reactor complex, commercial satellite imagery released by a think tank showed Friday.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / GAUGING TRUMP

Jan 23, 2017

Under Trump, Asia 'pivot' security plank may rise from the ashes

With the ascension of Donald Trump to the White House, former U.S. President Barack Obama's "pivot" to Asia appears to have been burned to the ground. Its remains must yet cool, but what may ultimately emerge from the ashes could prove reassuring to Asian allies fearful of an American retreat amid China's...

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