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April 01, 2025
 

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Gabriel Dominguez
When Italy’s Cavour aircraft carrier visited Japan in August, it was the latest in a string of other ports of call by European nations such as Britain, Germany and France, all of whom are engaging in military and defense industry partnerships in East Asia.
ASIA PACIFIC / Longform
Oct 25, 2024
Will Europe's pivot to Asia have any teeth?
Deals are being made and carriers are making visits, but it is yet to be seen if nations on the other side of the world will come when a crisis hits.
The South Korean Coast Guard vessel Taepyongyang, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Waesche and the Japan Coast Guard vessel Wakasa patrol in formation during a trilateral exercise in the Sea of Japan in June.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 23, 2024
With ramped-up activities, U.S. Coast Guard plots greater Indo-Pacific role
The move comes at a time when a growing number of coast guards in the region are becoming deeply involved in patrolling disputed waters.
The Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney fires an SM-6 missile during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024 in August.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 22, 2024
Australia to buy advanced U.S. long-range missiles to boost deterrence
The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles, similar to those being procured by Japan, will be progressively rolled out across the Royal Australian Navy’s warships.
Japanese firm Space Entertainment Laboratory is showcasing a model of its fully autonomous, battery-powered Hamadori 3000 amphibious drone at this week's Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 18, 2024
Drone solutions take center stage in Tokyo aerospace show
A flurry of dual-use unmanned aerial vehicles are being showcased, a testament to their growing popularity and the Defense Ministry’s increasing demand for them.
At this week's Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries unveiled concepts of two drone systems that could potentially operate alongside the next-generation fighter aircraft that Japan is developing with Italy and Britain. The full-scale model on the left is of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drone while the other is a 1:10 scale model of a tactical combat drone.
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2024
MHI and BAE showcase drones for potential use with GCAP fighter
The artificial intelligence-enabled drones are being designed to not only support and escort combat aircraft but also perform their own missions.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends the East Asia Summit during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 11, 2024
Ishiba clears low bar in diplomatic debut
Experts said Ishiba's visit signaled that he would maintain continuity with the policies set by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Ishiba addresses the ASEAN-Japan Summit meeting in Laos on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 10, 2024
Ishiba keeps low profile as he makes diplomatic debut
The prime minister made pledges to strengthen maritime security and promote decarbonization during his first international trip since taking office.
Canadian Ambassador to Japan Ian McKay, who is also his country's special envoy for the Indo-Pacific, takes part in an interview with The Japan Times last week.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 6, 2024
Canada eyes joint coast guard patrols with more Asian partners, envoy says
Canada is recognized as a leader in terms of its "Dark Vessel Detection" technology designed to identify vessels fishing illegally in protected maritime areas.
The icebreaker CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier at the Port of Yokohama on Wednesday. The vessel arrived on Monday after conducting a series of patrols to detect and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the northern Pacific, a region critical to implementing Canada’s overarching Indo-Pacific Strategy.
JAPAN
Oct 2, 2024
Canada marks expansion of coast guard cooperation with Japan port call
The move will set the stage for greater cooperation with partners in the region as Ottawa ramps up efforts to tackle illegal fishing in the Pacific, experts say.
A U.S. Marine participates in counterdrone training in June 2021.
WORLD
Oct 1, 2024
Pentagon’s Replicator 2 to focus on countering threat from small drones
U.S. military facilities around the globe, including those in Japan and South Korea, are expected to benefit from the initiative.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Waesche and crew transit the San Francisco Bay en route to Base Alameda, California, on Aug. 11 following a 120-day Indo-Pacific patrol.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 27, 2024
U.S. Coast Guard advising Manila as it seeks bigger Indo-Pacific footprint
It has also been assisting Manila in its missions to resupply the Philippine garrison at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, the agency's Pacific area chief says.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami arrives in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean during a scheduled port visit in July. The Sazanami became the first Japanese warship to sail through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 26, 2024
Japan MSDF warship sails through Taiwan Strait for first time
The transit on Wednesday, which follows a spate of Chinese military moves near Japan, drew a strongly worded warning from Beijing.
A China Coast Guard ship (left) collides with the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua near the Sabina Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea, on Aug. 31.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 22, 2024
'Quad' cements ties with coast guard patrols amid China concerns
China has long objected to the Quad, calling it part of a concerted effort to encircle and contain Beijing.
French Ambassador Philippe Setton says that, despite previous differences over whether Japan should host a NATO liaison office, Paris aims to deepen ties with Tokyo "in all security areas."
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 18, 2024
France-Japan military pact expected by year-end, envoy to Tokyo says
Concerns over the worsening security situation in the Indo-Pacific are speeding up negotiations on a visiting-forces pact between France and Japan.
Maritime Self-Defense Force explosive ordinance disposal technicians deploy a Remus 100 unmanned underwater vehicle to conduct mine hunting operations in Southern California during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July 2018.
JAPAN
Sep 18, 2024
Japan maritime drone tech to feature heavily in AUKUS tie-up
AUKUS leaders have stated the group’s intention to “leverage Japan’s deep technical expertise,” but provided no timeline as to when the tie-up begins.
A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and a CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft fly over the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Winnipeg in the Asia-Pacific region in November 2020. Canada has been gradually boosting its military engagement with Asian partners.
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2024
Canada and Japan aiming to rapidly expand defense ties
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair has said he thinks there are "unlimited areas of cooperation" between the two countries.
Participants chat in front of an electronic image of a soldier before the closing session of the Responsible AI in the Military Domain summit in Seoul on Tuesday.
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Sep 11, 2024
Global blueprint for regulating military AI proving elusive
The challenges of setting up guardrails against the misuse of the technology were highlighted during an AI summit in Seoul.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits O Jin U Artillery Academy in the country on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 9, 2024
After U.S.-South Korea nuclear drills, North girds for ‘long-term’ faceoff
Pyongyang vows to take “practical measures” after accusing Washington and Seoul of deploying nuclear-capable assets to the region and staging drills.
U.K. Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom says the Indo-Pacific region offers a unique opportunity to not only tackle shared security concerns but also to generate new sources of economic growth.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2024
U.K. envoy to Japan pushes back on Indo-Pacific disengagement concerns
The region — and Japan — remain “critical" to Britain's interests, Ambassador Julia Longbottom told The Japan Times.
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (left), Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (center left), Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (center right) and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles gather for their two-plus-two meeting in Queenscliff, Australia, on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 5, 2024
Japan and Australia look to closer cooperation to deter China
The quasi-allies have committed to coordinate their national security policies “more closely than ever before.”
Japan's biggest beef bowl chain Sukiya to shut nearly 2,000 stores after rat and bug contamination
Zensho Holdings, operator of fast-food chain Sukiya, said it will close all of its stores in Japan, except for a small number in shopping centers, between Monday and Friday following recent contamination incidents.
Alert raised for volcano in southwestern Japan
Shinmoedake, a volcano located between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, in November 2019
Japan considers all possible options as Trump threatens new auto tariffs
Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama on Thursday.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps
Tsuyoshi Domoto in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on March 28. As an entrepreneur, Domoto experienced plenty of setbacks but maintains a positive attitude and continues to pursue his dreams.
Who among the opposition would join the ruling coalition?
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Friday.
Traveling the Three-Star Road, the tourist route made from thin air
Scenes like this snow-covered bridge leading to the village of Shirakawa-go are what make the Three-Star Road worth traveling — its name notwithstanding.
Recent spate of wildfires in Japan and South Korea linked to climate change
Smoke and flames rise from a wildfire in Andong, South Korea, on Tuesday.

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