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SDF

Self-Defense Force personnel board an SDF KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft bound for Djibouti in preparation for the evacuation of Japanese nationals from Israel, at Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2023
SDF plane heads for Djibouti to prep for Israel evacuation
The KC-767 refueling and transport airplane departed from Komaki Air Base in central Japan to stand by at an SDF base in Djibouti.
Photo shows the Air Self-Defense Force's Nyutabaru base in Miyazaki Prefecture, where six F-35B fighters are expected to be deployed next fiscal year, with a temporary squadron to be established.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 8, 2023
Japan boosting SDF presence in southwestern area of Kyushu
The region will see new SDF units from next April, including an F-35B stealth fighter squadron and a surface-to-ship missile unit.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Defense Minister Minoru Kihara to the Pentagon in Washington on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 5, 2023
Japan expedites purchase of Tomahawks as security concerns grow
In light of the increasingly challenging Asian security environment, Japan will acquire the cruise missiles a year earlier than initially planned.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen attends the launching ceremony of Hai Kun, the island's first domestically built submarine, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 28, 2023
How Taiwan's new subs could complicate a Chinese invasion
The way in which Taipei deploys what is set to be a fleet of eight new attack submarines will be crucial in its efforts to deter or counter Beijing.
A model of a new fighter jet of the Global Combat Air Programme led by Britain, Japan, and Italy, is seen at the DSEI defense event in London on Sept. 12.
JAPAN
Sep 21, 2023
HQ for multilateral jet fighter project to be placed in U.K.
Japan and Britain will dominate design and manufacturing on the project.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks at a news conference in Naha on Sept. 4. Tamaki has raised issue with Japan's ongoing military building and its effect on Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Sep 20, 2023
Rapid military buildup a worry for Okinawans, governor says
"We must never allow people in Okinawa to go through the same horrible experience that we went through" in World War Two, said Denny Tamaki.
The Philippine military says it’s escalating maritime surveillance after detecting a "resurgence” of Chinese vessels around the West Philippine Sea.
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2023
Philippines says Japan and Australia keen on joint naval patrols
The Philippine military says it’s escalating maritime surveillance after detecting a "resurgence” of Chinese vessels around the West Philippine Sea.
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.
An official explains the National Defense Report at the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2023
Japan elevates Taiwan security ties in move likely to rile China
The defense ministry said it would only pursue "nongovernmental" ties with Taipei.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force disembark from a V-22 Osprey aircraft during a live-fire exercise in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Sep 5, 2023
Why building an effective Japan-U.S. kill chain will enhance defense
The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that modern warfare necessitates advanced coordination of operations.
Sept. 7, 1998
JAPAN / History / Japan Times Gone By
Sep 4, 2023
Japan Times 1923: Foreigners leave; destroyers are here
When a 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit Kanto on Sept. 1 a century ago, The Japan Times resorted to daily bulletins before returning to normal on the 17th.
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.
The HMAS Canberra sails to the main harbor in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in March 2019. The vessel participated in a bilateral exercise between Australia's navy and the Maritime Self-Defense Force on the way to the Philippines, an Australian defense spokesperson said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Aug 24, 2023
Australian navy holds exercise with MSDF en route to Philippines
There was no indication of a hotly anticipated trilateral drill in the South China Sea that had been expected the same day.
U.S. and Japanese authorities are concerned that purchases of farmland near military bases and other critical facilities will allow China and other governments to spy on or interfere with their operations.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2023
For the best espionage, it’s location, location, location
Efforts by Chinese companies to purchase land — often, but not exclusively, agricultural — has authorities in Japan and the United States up in arms.
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.
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.
An Air Self-Defense Force F-35A fighter aircraft
JAPAN
Aug 17, 2023
Japan F-35 fighters to fly to Australia in first deployment abroad
Four F-35As, supported by an aerial tanker and transport aircraft, will take part in a long-range navigation and refueling exercise starting next Monday.
An Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki C-2 military transport aircraft is put on display at the Dubai Air Show in November 2019.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2023
Japan mulls mounting long-range missiles on C-2 transporters
The missiles could be used for operations to attack enemy bases such as missile launch sites in counterstrike operations.
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.

Longform

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