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March 31, 2025
 

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DEFENSE

A concept model of a next-generation fighter jet under joint development among Japan, Britain and Italy
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 5, 2025
Japan to map out defense export strategy within 2025
The strategy, which will present medium- and long-term targets for defense equipment exports, will be worked out via cooperation among government ministries.
An Air Self-Defense Force airman sets up a drone during a bilateral live fire exercise at Draughon Range, near Misawa Air Base, in Aomori Prefecture in July 2023.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jan 5, 2025
Taking a page from Ukraine war, SDF carves out growing role for drones
Whether for use in the air, on land or at sea, the SDF is gradually integrating these increasingly capable and often autonomous systems into their units.
An Israeli soldier sits atop a tank as it drives into the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights, near the Druze village of Majdal Shams, on Dec. 13.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 5, 2025
U.S. plans $8 billion arms sale to Israel
Some of the munitions deliveries could be furnished through current U.S. stock, while the majority would take up to several years to deliver.
The U.S. government has approved the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles to Japan.
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2025
U.S. approves sale of advanced air-to-air missiles to Japan
The sale is designed to strengthen Japan's deterrence against threats from China and others in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 24. Ishiba has, unsuccessfully, sought to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump since November, with Trump’s team saying at the time that no meetings with foreign leaders would take place before his January inauguration.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 31, 2024
Ishiba rules out pre-inauguration meeting with Trump
Ishiba had sought a mid-January meeting with Trump but said over the weekend that sooner didn't necessarily mean better when it came to talks with the incoming U.S. president.
U.S. President Joe Biden (right) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington on Sept. 26.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 31, 2024
Biden announces $5.9 billion for Ukraine amid final aid push
The military aid includes $1.25 billion in so-called Presidential Drawdown Authority, which pulls weapons and ammunition from U.S. stockpiles.
U.S. President Joe Biden
WORLD
Dec 30, 2024
Biden announces $2.5 billion in fresh military aid to Ukraine
Biden's announcement includes $1.25 billion in military aid drawn from U.S. stockpiles and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package.
A Self-Defense Forces soldier from a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile unit takes part in a drill at Yokota Air Base in Fussa, western Tokyo, in August 2017.
JAPAN
Dec 29, 2024
U.S. military coordination unit eyed in central Tokyo
Such a location near the Defense Ministry is expected to allow both sides to smoothly draw up joint operational plans.
Ground Self-Defense Force members conduct a military drill next to an anti-ship missile unit on Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2022.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 29, 2024
Japan defense spending goals hit by inflation, weak yen and political uncertainty
A slew of obstacles are jeopardizing Tokyo's pursuit of raising defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by fiscal 2027.
A work boat dropping sand on the seafloor for ground improvement work off Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday.
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2024
Ground improvement work begins in Okinawa's Henoko
The work is part of the project to build a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station in Ginowan, Okinawa.
A Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter flies over GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade soldiers and U.S. Marines during a drill in Okinawa last year.
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2024
Japan and U.S. draw up guidelines for extended deterrence
The two countries came up with the guidelines for extended U.S. nuclear and conventional deterrence at a time when the security environment in the region is becoming more severe.
Members of the Self-Defense Forces stand in formation at Camp Asaka on Nov. 9.
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2024
Japan uncovers 100 new cases of mishandled security secrets at SDF
The ministry has been conducting investigations after many rule violations related to the handling of secrets were found earlier this year.
Some of the slush funds pooled by Kawasaki Heavy Industries were used to wine and dine Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel, the Defense Ministry said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 27, 2024
Kawasaki Heavy found to have pooled ¥1.7 billion in slush funds
Some of the funds were used by the defense contractor to wine and dine Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel, the Defense Ministry said.
A Chinese military aircraft flies in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, in this screengrab of a video posted on Chinese social media on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 27, 2024
Images show new Chinese military aircraft designs, experts say
There was not enough detail for definitive conclusions regarding the two seemingly new Chinese military aircraft.
Cabinet ministers at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 27, 2024
Japan's Cabinet approves ¥115.5 trillion budget
The proposal exceeded ¥110 trillion for the third consecutive year in order to increase spending on defense and social welfare costs.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Nov. 15 during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 26, 2024
Japan and China to continue delicate diplomatic dance in 2025
While Tokyo and Beijing have touted the importance of thawing ties, experts say a number of issues are likely to mean continued hedging by both sides.
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Type 10 main battle tank fires ammunition during a live fire exercise at the JGSDF's training grounds in the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 26, 2024
Japan set to approve record budget, spending more on defense and regions
While the government will have to lean heavily on debt issuance, record tax receipts will enable the cutting back of fresh bond issuance by almost a fifth.
The government said in the survey there were no cases of disruptive behavior, such as radio jamming, from sites that buyers from China acquired targeting the areas with national security importance.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2024
Most foreign buyers of land near Japan security areas are Chinese: survey
Japan's government said there were no cases of disruptive behavior, such as radio jamming, from the acquired sites targeting the areas with national security importance.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Tokyo head office
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2024
Kawasaki Heavy's spending on SDF personnel found taxable
SDF submarine crew members have been wined, dined and given gift certificates by Kawasaki Heavy's Kobe Works, with the expenses reported as tax-deductible.
A North Korean soldier watches his South Korean counterparts at the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone. South Korea's political crisis, with President Yoon's impeachment, threatens U.S. influence while boosting opportunities for China and North Korea to expand their influence.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 19, 2024
Beijing and Pyongyang will exploit South Korea's turmoil
The geopolitical landscape in the region may soon become less friendly to the U.S.
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.
School-age suicides in Japan hit all-time high
A volunteer handles an incoming call at the Tokyo Befrienders call center, a suicide hotline center in Japan's capital.
Japan considers all possible options as Trump threatens new auto tariffs
Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama on Thursday.
In Tokyo, Pentagon chief provides assurances that Japan-U.S. alliance remains robust
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (left) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo ahead of their talks Sunday.
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto (left), South Korean Trade Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Sunday
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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Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone. 
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
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