Tag - sdf

 
 

SDF

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.
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.
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.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stands for the U.S. national anthem before a meeting with his Australian counterpart ahead of the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations in Brisbane on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 31, 2023
U.S. defense tieup efforts pay dividends with Australia deals
The agreements will mean not only more U.S. troops in Australia, but also the integration of Japan into more military initiatives between the two.
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.
A pair of Ospreys take off from the U.S. military's Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 25, 2023
Low flights of U.S. Ospreys over Japan's mainland raise safety concerns
In June last year, an Osprey aircraft crashed in the United States, leaving five dead.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade disembark from a V-22 Osprey at Camp Ainoura in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, in July 2022.
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2023
GSDF amphibious unit now seen as 'partner' of U.S. Marines
The GSDF unit and the U.S. Marine Corps have conducted many joint exercises, and the two sides can now work together in higher-level operations, according to GSDF Col. Taisuke Fujimura.
Police officers gather at a Ground Self-Defense Force shooting range in Gifu Prefecture on June 14 following a fatal rifle attack.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 21, 2023
Mental evaluation begins for GSDF fatal shooting suspect
The June 14 shooting during a live-fire training session left Master Sgt. Yasuchika Kikumatsu and Sgt. Kosuke Yashiro dead, and another 25-year-old sergeant seriously wounded.
The village of Kitadaito in Okinawa Prefecture   Kyodo
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2023
Government explains radar deployment plan to residents of Okinawan island
The Defense Ministry stressed the need to build a tight surveillance system in the Pacific, where the Chinese military is increasing its activities.
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 / FOCUS
Jul 21, 2023
GSDF amphibious unit now seen as 'partner' of U.S. Marines
The GSDF unit and the U.S. Marine Corps have conducted many joint exercises, and the two sides can now work together in higher-level operations, according to GSDF Col. Taisuke Fujimura.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2023
Japan, South Korea and U.S. hold trilateral missile defense drill after North's ICBM launch
The rare exercises come as North Korea’s continued weapons tests push trilateral security ties closer than ever.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2023
Japan eyes surveillance radar deployment to remote island in Pacific
While Japan has beefed up its forces on the western side of the Nansei island chain, the Pacific side remains a 'blank area' not covered sufficiently by surveillance activities.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?