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SDF

Self-Defense Force members march in formation at Camp Asaka, which straddles Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture, during a ceremony on Nov. 9.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 21, 2024
Japan ready to improve working conditions for SDF members
Improving working conditions for the members "is a serious challenge" for his administration, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers.
Dutch air force F-35 fighter jets take part in drills with NATO countries in March 2023.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2024
Dutch eyeing F-35 Indo-Pacific deployment in 2026, Japan envoy says
Rising geopolitical tensions are driving the Netherlands to work “more closely than ever before” with Indo-Pacific countries, particularly Japan.
The U.S. Air Force's CV-22 Osprey displayed during Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on May 18
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2024
U.S. and Japanese Ospreys grounded this month after precautionary landing
While the details about the precautionary landing are not known, the incident has raised concerns over the vulnerability in Osprey components.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force disembark from a V-22 Osprey aircraft during the annual live-fire exercise at East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2024
Japan GSDF grounds Osprey fleet after U.S. suspension
The Ground Self-Defense Force said it will give top priority to ensuring safety until further details are shared.
The U.S. decision to suspend the use of a firing range in the Senkakus has had lasting consequences, undermining Japan's claims to the islets and sending mixed signals about U.S. support for Japanese sovereignty over the area.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 10, 2024
A restart of Senkaku firing ranges is long overdue
The suspension also had strategic consequences, depriving both U.S. and Japanese forces of vital military training ranges.
Japan's envisaged active cyber defense system is to acquire and analyze communications information even in normal times
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2024
Japan eyes monitoring international communications for cyber defense
The move is part of a plan to develop active cyber defense, or preemptive action to prevent cyberattacks, according to sources.
Activated on Wednesday, U.S. Space Forces Japan — a component similar to the one established at South Korea’s Osan Air Base in 2022 — will operate out of Yokota Air Base in the city of Fussa, western Tokyo, with a staff of about 10.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Dec 4, 2024
U.S. Space Force launches first unit in Japan
The move is part of an effort to boost coordination and interoperability with its ally, including the Air Self-Defense Force’s own Space Operations Group
Officers from the Self-Defense Forces visit a Chinese air force facility in Tianjin, China, on Thursday.
JAPAN
Nov 29, 2024
SDF officers visit Chinese military in exchange program
SDF members have inspected an army unit in Beijing and plan to visit a naval facility in Guangzhou.
Members of the Self-Defense Forces march at the GSDF Camp Asaka, which straddles Tokyo and Saitama, on Nov. 9. As part of a five-year defense buildup launched in 2022, the government has said it will raise personal income, corporate and tobacco taxes to cover the added costs.
JAPAN
Nov 29, 2024
Japan wobbles on tax hikes to pay for historic defense buildup
A decision on raising taxes to help cover rising defense spending may be delayed again, a senior ruling coalition official has said.
A U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (12SSM) system are put on display at a symposium at a base in Kisarazu, Japan, in June 2022.
JAPAN
Nov 24, 2024
Japan and U.S. to form missile plan in case of Taiwan emergency
Under the plan, the U.S. would deploy missile units to the Nansei Islands in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, as well as the Philippines.
The plaintiff-side lawyers hold up papers displaying the judgment details in the lawsuit against the Atsugi Air Base, in Yokohama on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 21, 2024
Japanese court rejects injunction against flights at Atsugi Air Base
The lawsuit focused on changes in levels of base-related noise since U.S. carrier-based aircraft were relocated to the Iwakuni base in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force take part in a joint military drill involving Japan, the United States, Britain and Australia at Narashino exercise field in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, in January 2023.
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2024
Japan hosts Five Eyes group meeting for first time
The move highlights the growing cooperation between Tokyo and its allies amid shared concerns about a rapidly deteriorating security environment.
A prototype vehicle equipped with a laser system to destroy drones is unveiled at the Ground Self Defense Force's Asaka training field in Saitama Prefecture on Nov. 9.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2024
Japan to test anti-drone laser system next year
The prototype vehicle is based on an existing large GSDF vehicle and is equipped with a high-power laser and a system to automatically detect and track targets.
Air Self-Defense Force F-35A fighter jets at the U.S. military's Misawa base in Aomori Prefecture. The deployment of the U.S. military's cutting-edge F-35A stealth fighters at the base will start in the spring of 2026.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2024
F-35A deployment at Misawa base to start in spring 2026
The U.S. Department of Defense plans to spend about $10 billion to upgrade its fighter jets deployed in Japan over several years.
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga sail in formation with 16 other ships from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force fly overhead in formation during the Keen Sword exercise in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 8, 2018.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 18, 2024
Japan, Australia and U.S. boost collective deterrence efforts amid China concerns
The coordination will see the Ground Self‑Defense Force take part regularly in annual amphibious training drills in Australia involving U.S. Marines.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani welcomed U.S. plans to set up space forces in Japan during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Darwin, Australia, on Sunday.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2024
U.S. to set up space forces in Japan in December
The move is aimed at further advancing cooperation in the space domain to counter security threats from China and Russia.
Troops from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises in Kagoshima Prefecture in November of last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024
Elite GSDF troops to regularly deploy for drills in Australia
Tokyo will begin the deployments of the GSDF’s elite Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to the city of Darwin starting next year.
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.
Ground Self-Defense Force vehicles during training in Yokohama on Oct. 17
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2024
Human error behind Osprey accident on remote Japan island: GSDF
During Japan-U.S. joint exercises on Oct. 27, the Osprey keeled over when taking off from a GSDF camp in Yonaguni, and the left wing touched the ground and was damaged.
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.

Longform

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