Jesse Johnson - The Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 3, 2022

Russian warships travel between far-flung Okinawan islands

The announcement was the first time that Japan's Defense Ministry revealed that Russian Navy vessels had passed through the waterway between Yonaguni and Iriomote Islands.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jun 28, 2022

After support for Ukraine, Kishida aims for NATO unity on China

The leader will stress the need for unity with NATO in preventing China from taking the “wrong lessons” from Ukraine as the bloc looks to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Jun 22, 2022

North Korea's Kim presides over major military meeting as nuke test fears grow

The Central Military Commission was set to decide on “important strategic and tactical tasks' for the country's military, the latest signal that a nuclear test may be imminent.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jun 21, 2022

Foreign policy and security top Japan election agenda. But for how long?

With voters expressing worries over inflation and less than three weeks to go before the Upper House poll, there's plenty of time for the political winds to shift.

JAPAN / Politics

Jun 16, 2022

LDP targets ‘counterstrike capability’ for first time in campaign platform

The shift comes amid growing concerns related to Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang, but critics say it deviates from Japan's traditional defense-oriented policy.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jun 14, 2022

As North Korean missiles fly, Seoul signals need to revitalize intel pact with Tokyo

Pyongyang's record-breaking number of launches this year continues to push Seoul and Tokyo closer after years of soured ties, including on the contentious GSOMIA pact.

JAPAN

Jun 11, 2022

Japan defense minister delivers speech targeting 'rule-flouting' nuclear-armed neighbors

Nobuo Kishi said Japan is on the “front lines” with nuclear-armed Russia, China and North Korea, and urged cooperation in halting their attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Jun 8, 2022

North Korean missile barrage adds new dimension to Japan's threat assessment

The launch of eight missiles from four locations in the country builds on earlier training for a strike designed to overwhelm Japanese and South Korean missile defenses, experts say.

JAPAN

Jun 7, 2022

Japanese government coy on specifics as five-year plan to strengthen defense confirmed

Newly approved economic policy guidelines mention plans to bolster Japan's military over five years without giving a specific spending target — reflecting divisions within the LDP.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jun 6, 2022

South Korea and U.S. fire off missiles in response to North Korean tests

The two countries' militaries conducted the joint live-fire exercise early Monday, firing off eight surface-to-surface missiles into the Sea of Japan.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jun 5, 2022

North Korea fires off 'unprecedented' volley of eight ballistic missiles

Japan's defense chief said it was possible that the launches were aimed at improving the North's continuous launch capabilities, which are necessary for conducting saturation attacks.

JAPAN

Jun 2, 2022

U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel praises Japan’s decision to 'invest in its own defense'

In an attempt to strengthen both Japan's deterrence capabilities and its ties with Washington, Tokyo is breaking a long-standing taboo on hiking defense spending.

ASIA PACIFIC

May 25, 2022

North Korea launches apparent ICBM, a day after Biden departs Asia

South Korea's military said its nuclear-armed neighbor had launched an apparent long-range missile just a day after U.S. leader Joe Biden wrapped up his first visit to Asia as president.

JAPAN

May 24, 2022

'Serious concerns' after Russian and Chinese bombers fly near Japan during 'Quad' summit

Japan's defense chief called the moves especially 'provocative' given that Tokyo was hosting the summit of leaders from the United States, India, Australia and Japan.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS

May 24, 2022

Biden’s repeated Taiwan remarks could risk triggering the very conflict he seeks to avoid

Analysts say Biden's assertions may highlight his personal views on Taiwan but warned they could risk eroding confidence in Washington and triggering a conflict with China.

JAPAN / Politics

May 23, 2022

Biden vows to defend Taiwan as Kishida pledges unprecedented hike in defense spending

The U.S. leader's comment — which was at odds with Washington's long-standing policy — came after his first in-person summit with Kishida.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

May 22, 2022

Kishida and Biden to vow bolstered defenses as Ukraine war looms large for Asia

Kishida is expected to use plans for boosted defense spending and a tougher public stance on China as a way to nudge Biden to more clearly recognize and address Tokyo's concerns over Taiwan.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS

May 19, 2022

North Korea's Kim looks to rocket himself to top of Biden-Yoon summit agenda

Officials in the U.S. and South Korea say that Pyongyang could stage a nuclear test, intercontinental ballistic missile launch or both around Biden's visit.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

May 17, 2022

North Korean nuclear test could serve as 'wake-up call' for Biden and allies

Recent satellite imagery has captured work at the Punggye-ri test site to restore at least one tunnel, likely for North Korea's next nuclear test.

ASIA PACIFIC

May 15, 2022

North Korea has resumed work at long-dormant nuclear reactor, satellite images reveal

Photos indicate that the isolated North has resumed construction at the 50 megawatt reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear complex as it looks to further build up its nuclear arsenal.

author

Meta

Twitter

Podcast

Longform

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

In your social network

In your inbox

In your social network

In your inbox