Tag - defense-ministry

 
 

DEFENSE MINISTRY

Minoru Kihara
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2023
New Japan defense chief 'very concerned' about Chinese military moves
Minoru Kihara called trilateral cooperation with South Korea and the U.S. “the cornerstone” of Tokyo’s response to the regional security concerns.
New Defense Minister Minoru Kihara says Japan-U.S. joint drills are very important for strengthening the U.S. commitment to the region.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2023
Japan and U.S. boosting joint drills with eye on 'actual combat'
The exercises are intended to prepare forces in areas where a contingency could be possible, in view of military activity by China and Russia.
New Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is seen in formal attire to attend an attestation ceremony after a Cabinet reshuffle in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2023
In Kishida's Cabinet reshuffle, two changes stand out
It will be the first time in 20 years that a woman has been foreign minister, while the new defense chief arrives amid dramatic shifts in defense posture.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis-equipped destroyer Maya in Yokohama in March 2020. Japan plans to introduce two new Aegis-equipped vessels that are expected to be bigger than the 8,200-ton Maya-class Aegis ships.
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2023
Japan's costs ballooning for new Aegis vessel plan
Overall costs will reach ¥900 billion if the amount already spent to purchase large radar and weapons systems is included.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Hyuga destroyer leads the MSDF fleet during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the MSDF's foundation, in Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, last November.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 31, 2023
Japan seeks record ¥7.7 trillion defense budget as buildup continues
The budget request signals that Tokyo remains committed to following through on historic defense reforms instituted in December.
North Korean leader Kim Jong visits a command training center of the Korean People's Army General Staff at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this image released Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 31, 2023
North Korea holds 'nuclear strike drill' targeting South
The drills were intended to "send a message" to the North's enemies, as large-scale military exercises between Washington and Seoul were set to conclude.
Members of the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and U.S. armed forces carry national flags during the opening ceremony of joint military exercises in Taguig, Philippines, in October 2022.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 27, 2023
How Japan can make the most of its latest diplomatic tool
Japan recently decided to establish a policy of Official Security Assistance. But how can it ensure its success?
A giant screen broadcasts news footage of a Chinese fighter jet taking part in a "combat readiness patrol" around Taiwan, at a shopping area in Beijing, in April.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 26, 2023
Taiwan says Chinese combat drone flew along island's east coast
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry also said the Chinese aircraft included J-10 and Su-30 fighter jets, as well as anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft.
Members of the Self-Defence Forces during a ceremony in Tokyo in 2017
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2023
Government advocates allowing export of some lethal weapons
The ruling coalition will discuss how to revise the guidelines for the country's three principles on defense equipment transfers.
North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket is launched in Cholsan County, North Korea, on May 31 in this image taken from video.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2023
North Korea to launch satellite between Thursday and Aug. 31
Japan has indefinitely extended an order issued to destroy any North Korean ballistic missile, rocket or debris that threatens the country's territory.
A Russian IL-38 information-gathering aircraft flies between the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in a photo taken by the Air Self-Defense Force on Friday.
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2023
Japan scrambles jets amid Russian and Chinese naval patrol
Russian and Chinese navy ships have been jointly patrolling the Pacific Ocean and holding naval exercises in the East China Sea.
Former Ground Self-Defense Force member Rina Gonoi speaks to reporters in Yokohama in July after exchanging opinions with members of an expert panel set up by the Defense Ministry.
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2023
SDF's harassment consultation system seeing limited use
A survey found that many SDF personnel are distrustful of the consultation system.
The Pentagon on Tuesday looked to soften the blow of an explosive report that Chinese hackers had infiltrated Japan's most sensitive defense networks, saying that it was "confident” about sharing intelligence with Tokyo.
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2023
U.S. ‘confident’ in Japan intel sharing, but Taiwan concerns linger
The Pentagon has moved to soften the blow of a report that said that “shockingly bad” hacking had been uncovered by the U.S. in the fall of 2020.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada speaks during a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo in June.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2023
China hacked sensitive Japanese defense networks, report says
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Tuesday that Tokyo has not confirmed that top secret information was leaked.
Four Italian Air Force F-35 fighter jets are lined up next to an Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter shortly after arriving at Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture on Friday evening in this image posted to the base's official X social media account.
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2023
Japan and Italy to elevate ties with first joint fighter drills
The drills highlight how Rome and Tokyo are expanding defense and security ties as their strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific converge.
A screen displays Chinese leader Xi Jinping, at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing last October.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 28, 2023
China eyes accelerated plan for ‘world-class military,’ Japan says
An annual defense white paper said the world was facing its greatest test since World War II amid China's military buildup and the Ukraine war.
Two F-15 fighter aircraft from the ASDF fly alongside two Rafale jets and an A400M transport aircraft from the French Air and Space Force as the two forces kicked off Wednesday their first-ever joint fighter exercise in Japan
JAPAN
Jul 26, 2023
France and Japan expand defense ties with first joint fighter jet drills
The drills are scheduled to run from Wednesday to Saturday in the airspace around the Kanto region and the ASDF’s Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture.
People walk past a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test at the main railway station in Seoul on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2023
North Korea fires missiles as it gears up for apparent military parade
The launch of two missiles came as the North Korea appeared to be gearing up for an large-scale military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice's signing.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 22, 2023
Japan fires Type-12 anti-ship missile for first time in Australia
The live-firing was part of joint anti-ship drills presumably held with China in mind, as Japan, the U.S. and Australia look to keep opposing naval forces at bay.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2023
North Korea fires off two ballistic missiles, with both falling outside Japan's EEZ
The rare early-morning launches of apparent short-range weapons followed a test last week of the North’s Hwasong-18 solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile.

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