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Jesse Johnson
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 20, 2023
North Korea fires off more missiles, warning it could turn Pacific into 'firing range'
Pyongyang sent two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Monday, with the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un threatening to unleash even more launches.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Feb 19, 2023
North Korea says surprise ICBM drill is 'proof' of 'nuclear counterattack' capabilities
Pyongyang emphasized Saturday's launch of a Hwasong-15 missile had been 'suddenly organized without previous notice' in the first such drill involving a long-range weapon.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 18, 2023
North Korea fires 'ICBM-class' missile into Japan's EEZ off Hokkaido
The launch comes a day after Pyongyang vowed an 'unprecedentedly' strong response to joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea set for next week.
JAPAN
Feb 15, 2023
Japan eyes eased rules for firing on aircraft violating airspace
The Defense Ministry earlier announced that it “strongly suspects” objects that flew over Japan in 2019, 2020 and 2021 were Chinese spy balloons.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 11, 2023
U.S. downs high-altitude object over Alaska as China tensions surge
U.S. officials offered few details about the origin of the object, but said it was about the size of a car and did not appear to have the ability to maneuver.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 9, 2023
North Korea unveils apparent new ICBM in nighttime military parade
The new missiles would not need to be fueled up, making them easier to deploy quickly and more difficult to spot and shoot down.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 8, 2023
Kim's daughter joins North Korean leader on tour as military parade speculation mounts
Although Pyongyang's state media has been mum on any parade, North Korea watchers reported early Wednesday that illuminated jets had flown over the capital.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 8, 2023
U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel says Japanese industry can play bigger role amid defense challenges
Rahm Emanuel said building up 'resilience' across a number of sectors and supply chains and bolstering deterrence capabilities were crucial goals for the alliance.
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2023
What could Japan do about foreign spy balloons over its territory?
The nation may have already seen Chinese spy balloons over its skies, including two instances of remarkably similar design to the alleged spy balloon shot down by the U.S.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 5, 2023
After U.S. downing of suspected Chinese spy balloon, can ties can be stabilized?
Washington's dramatic decision to shoot down the balloon has highlighted the growing trust gap between the two superpowers and raised fresh questions about the trajectory of bilateral ties.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 4, 2023
Spy balloon threatens to deflate momentum toward improving China-U.S. ties
While some analysts said the U.S. decision to cancel high-level talks illustrated major hurdles in Sino-American ties, others said a chance for another meeting could come soon.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 31, 2023
U.S. and South Korea to hold 'tabletop' exercises on nuclear threats next month
Talks by the two countries' defense chiefs came amid rising public support in Seoul for developing its own nuclear weapons after North Korea’s record-breaking flurry of missile tests.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 29, 2023
Can South Korea and Japan repair their strained relationship?
Both nations are aiming to mend ties clouded by years of mistrust and a tumultuous past, but many challenges remain.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2023
China resumes issuing visas for Japanese after dispute over border measures
China halted visas earlier this month following tough new border control rules imposed by Tokyo as Beijing ended its nationwide 'zero-COVID' policy.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 29, 2023
U.S. four-star general warns of war with China by 2025
Although the Pentagon quickly sought to distance itself from the remarks, the latest comments from the top brass highlighted growing unease over the possibility of conflict.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 28, 2023
Japan eyes lifting South Korean export controls as Seoul works to improve ties, report says
Any move would come amid ongoing talks over a new plan to resolve the issue of wartime labor and as concerns mount over the increasingly tense regional security environment.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 25, 2023
Former U.S. Indo-Pacific commander underscores threat to Taiwan’s outlying islands
Retired Adm. Philip Davidson — known for his assessment that China may try to attack Taiwan by 2027 — called the threat to the islands a “grave security concern” for Taipei.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 15, 2023
Kishida and Biden meeting heralds an alliance in lock-step — but challenges remain
While no concrete deliverables emerged, the meeting signified the two leaders formally setting the future course of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 14, 2023
Kishida wins Biden backing for defense boost amid China challenge
The summit in Washington was seen as a victory lap for the Japanese leader, with the two setting in stone the U.S.-Japan alliance's course for the coming years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 12, 2023
U.S. to boost military capabilities in Japan and step up cooperation amid China worries
Tokyo and Washington agreed to deploy a more agile and capable U.S. Marine unit to Okinawa, ramp up joint surveillance operations and expand the shared use of military facilities.

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