Tag - msdf

 
 

MSDF

A SeaGuardian unmanned drone is seen at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Hachinohe Air Base in Aomori Prefecture in June last year.
JAPAN
Nov 16, 2024
MSDF to deploy U.S.-made SeaGuardian surveillance drones
The Defense Ministry said Friday it plans to procure a total of 23 SeaGuardian drones over the next 10 years or so.
A Russian Navy Yasen-class vessel that sailed westward through the Soya Strait on Monday
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2024
Russian nuclear-powered submarine sails through Soya Strait
The presence of a Yasen-class vessel, Russia's most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, was confirmed by the MSDF for the first time.
The bow of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Ukushima minesweeper is seen early Monday after most of the ship was submerged in waters off Fukuoka Prefecture following a fire that erupted in its engine room.
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2024
One crew member missing after fire sinks MSDF minesweeper
The MSDF and the Japan Coast Guard are working together to search for the missing sailor, with divers taking part in the effort.
A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber (front) flies in formation with South Korean, Japanese and U.S. fighter jets during a joint air drill in South Korean airspace south of Jeju Island on Sunday.
JAPAN
Nov 3, 2024
U.S. bomber joins air drill with South Korea and Japan
The exercise took place three days after Pyongyang launched one of its most powerful and advanced solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles.
An F-35B stealth fighter jet lands on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kaga helicopter carrier during a test on Sunday of the southern coast of California.
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2024
F-35B fighter makes first landing on de facto aircraft carrier Kaga
The Maritime Self-Defense Force is conducting tests to determine if there are issues with such aircraft taking off from the vessel while verifying other procedures.
A Starlink satellite communication system installed on the training ship Kashima of the Maritime Self-Defense Force for test operations at the Harumi Pier in Tokyo on May 15.
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2024
Japan's MSDF eyeing Starlink for better internet connectivity at sea
Hoping to create an environment where MSDF members can freely use the internet while at sea, the MSDF plans to introduce the Starlink service on its vessels.
Maritime Self-Defense Force's submarines docked at U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Oct 8, 2024
MSDF overpaid ¥81 million for submarine battery charging, sources say
Contract documents did not spell out the amount of power needed for a full charge, resulting in 15 cases in which batteries were not properly charged.
Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. speaks during the opening ceremony of exercise Sama Sama 2023, the annual bilateral exercise between the Philippine and U.S. Navy, in Manila in October 2023.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 8, 2024
Six countries conduct naval drills off the Philippines amid China tensions
This year's drills, which involve almost a thousand sailors and personnel, are high-intensity exercises focusing on antisubmarine, antisurface and antiair warfare.
Kuo Yu-jen, vice president of the Institute for National Policy Research, speaks in Taipei on Sept. 30.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 7, 2024
Taiwan welcomes Japan's security 'policy shift'
Of the Group of Seven major powers, Japan is the sixth country to have sailed through the Taiwan Strait.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami leaves Sasebo Naval Base in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture, in April 2012.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 28, 2024
Japan and U.S. partners hold dueling military drills with China in South China Sea
The first MSDF warship to transit the Taiwan Strait joined naval and air forces from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the U.S. for the exercises.
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 U.S. F-35B stealth fighter lands on the MSDF's destroyer Izumo off the coast of Japan's Shikoku region in October 2021.
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2024
Maritime Self-Defense Force's 'Flattop' to undergo tests with U.S. fighters
The helicopter-carrying destroyer has been undergoing work to become an aircraft carrier for use with F-35B stealth fighters to be adopted by the Air SDF.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's US-2 amphibious plane
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2024
Japan to continue production of MSDF US-2 amphibious plane
The Defense Ministry has sought ¥21.9 billion ($150 million) for the acquisition of one US-2 aircraft in its fiscal 2025 budget request.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis destroyer Chokai
JAPAN
Sep 1, 2024
Japan to add Tomahawk launch function to Aegis destroyer Chokai
Deployed at the MSDF's Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture, the Chokai will be the first Japanese Aegis destroyer equipped with a counterstrike capability.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto speaks during an interview with The Japan Times in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 26, 2024
Interoperability with Japan ‘crucial,’ Italian defense chief says
Engagement between the two partners is already paying dividends, including in terms of lessons for the future deployment of F-35Bs from MSDF carriers.
Cadets at the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kure Recruit Training Center row in unison during a cutter boat drill in Kure Bay, Hiroshima Prefecture, in June.
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Jul 29, 2024
MSDF’s Kure base faces recruitment challenges as youngsters shy away
The stressful nature of service and an increasing likelihood of actual combat are causing many to opt for other careers.
SH-60K patrol helicopter
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2024
MSDF chopper in crash that left eight dead found on seabed
An unmanned probe found what appeared to be a helicopter on the seabed.
Maritime Self-Defense Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai (center) following a news conference in Tokyo on July 12
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2024
Poor understanding of the law behind mishandling of secrets in MSDF
The scandal has prompted the Defense Ministry to dole out mass punishments and led to the resignation of a top officer.
Lower House Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga (center) receives a recommendation document from a parliamentary board to improve the Defense Ministry's system of handling of security secrets at parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jul 17, 2024
Parliamentary board to seek improvements over MSDF information handling
In the scandal, many personnel not given security clearance were assigned to roles with access to confidential information.
Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai says during a news conference Friday that he will step down on July 19 to take responsibility for a string of scandals involving MSDF members.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 14, 2024
Crisis grips Japanese government over Defense Ministry scandals
Some believe such scandals may influence the debate over tax hikes that were proposed to finance the five-year defense spending boost through fiscal 2027.

Longform

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