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SDF

This undated picture released Wednesday shows the first ground combustion test of a high-power solid-fuel engine for a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, at an undisclosed location in North Korea.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 15, 2023
North Korea eyes surprise attack ability with missile engine test
The new engines for the intermediate-range ballistic missiles would give Pyongyang another means of targeting Japan.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2023
Japanese island holds disaster drill in shadow of Taiwan threat
Yonaguni is only 110 km from Taiwan. In August last year, China fired missiles into nearby waters in response to a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and British counterpart Grant Shapps review an honor guard ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 8, 2023
Japan and Britain to ramp up security cooperation
Following talks held in Tokyo, the nations' ministers said in a joint statement that they aim to boost military coordination and interoperability.
The Self-Defense Forces face numerous obstacles in meeting their recruitment targets: Demographics, private-sector competition and image and morale issues.
EDITORIALS
Nov 3, 2023
The SDF has a big problem: Filling its ranks
The Japanese government needs to take steps to address SDF recruitment challenges that put the nation's security at risk.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2023
Defense chief condemns ‘outrageous’ response in SDF harassment case
A male perpetrator of sexual assault was forced to apologize directly to the female victim despite her wishes not to see him.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bomber is escorted by South Korean F-35s during a joint military exercise over the Korean Peninsula that also involved Japan's Air-Self Defense Force.
EDITORIALS
Oct 27, 2023
Japan, U.S. and South Korea patrol the skies together
The three countries have historically engaged in bilateral exercises with the United States, but this trilateral exercise in the air is a notable first.
Two Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighter jets (bottom) fly in formation with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber as part of a joint exercise with the United States and South Korea in airspace near Kyushu on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 25, 2023
U.S., Japan and South Korea cooperation reaches new heights with aerial drill
While some view the move as signaling a "new era" in security ties, questions remain as to how long the current political momentum will hold
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force disembark from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a live fire exercise in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 23, 2023
Kishida's proposed tax cuts put higher defense spending on hold
The plan to raise defense spending partly through tax hikes has been put on ice. In fact, it was never likely to deliver fast results.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 23, 2023
Japan, U.S. and South Korea hold first joint air drills
The military exercise, which involved a B-52 bomber, comes as South Korea, Japan and the U.S. beef up their defense cooperation.
A deal between Mitsubishi Electric and Australia’s Department of Defence taps the company’s know-how in electronic and optical systems.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2023
In industry first, Mitsubishi Electric secures defense deal with Australia
The deal taps the company’s know-how in electronic and optical systems.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 18, 2023
Defense minister’s miscue is an opening for the opposition
Can a single statement by the defense minister really disrupt the Japanese political landscape? For better or worse, it can.
South Korea's Aegis-equipped destroyer Yulgok Yi I (right), the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (top), the Aegis-equipped USS Shoup destroyer (bottom center), the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Hyuga destroyer (left) and the South Korean Navy's Cheonji (center) sail in formation during a joint maritime drill in international waters southeast of South Korea's Jeju Island on Oct. 10.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 17, 2023
Military deterrence alone will not dissuade China, experts warn
Governments must be proactive in pressing for diplomatic solutions, as a focus on military power won't make the world safer, analysts say.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara speaks during a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Washington on Oct. 4.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 16, 2023
Defense chief retracts comments implying LDP vote would be good for SDF
Article 61 of the Self-Defense Forces Law explicitly forbids SDF personnel from engaging in political activity, with the exception of voting.
Ground Self-Defense Force members take part in a military review in Asaka, Saitama Prefecture, in October 2018.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2023
'Not proud at all': Japan struggles to recruit for Self-Defense Forces
Experts have said that the country's armed forces could be weakened because of a lack of personnel.
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.
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.

Longform

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