Patriot units to be deployed in Okinawa permanently

Apr 13, 2013

Patriot units to be deployed in Okinawa permanently

The government said Friday it will permanently deploy Patriot antimissile batteries in Okinawa amid repeated threats by North Korea to launch missiles that could strike anywhere in Japan. Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the Self-Defense Forces will locate Patriot Advanced Capability-3 batteries at its ...

Onodera, Nakaima discuss U.S. base plan

Apr 7, 2013

Onodera, Nakaima discuss U.S. base plan

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera sought support Saturday from Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima for a plan to return a number of U.S. military facilities in the prefecture to Japanese control. “I believe the plan will contribute to further developing Okinawa,” Onodera told Nakaima in Naha, ...

China provocation slammed

Feb 8, 2013

China provocation slammed

by Ayako Mie

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera warns China that it may have violated the United Nations Charter when its warships locked their fire-control radars on a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer and helicopter last month and calls for setting up a hotline between Tokyo and Beijing.