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July 04, 2025
 

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Gabriel Dominguez
Taiwanese soldiers participate in a military exercise in the Bali district of Taiwan in July last year. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s call for Taiwan to spend more on its own defense, and his complaints about its semiconductor dominance, may herald a tenser relationship.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2024
Taiwan braces for Trump’s return, but much will depend on his team
U.S. support may come at a higher price and be decided on a case-by-case basis during Trump's second term.
A Mogami frigate at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2024
Australia’s next frigates to come from Japan or Germany
Should Japan win the contract to replace aging Anzac-class warships, it would mark a major breakthrough for the country’s defense industry.
European Union Ambassador to Japan Jean-Eric Paquet says the bloc's unprecedented security and defense partnership recently launched with Japan is a clear reflection of Brussels' moves to “enhance and fortify ties” with its Indo-Pacific partners.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 8, 2024
New EU-Japan partnership to take ties to ‘next level,’ envoy to Tokyo says
It will complement existing initiatives between Tokyo and individual European states and pave the way for broader, collective measures at the EU level in critical areas.
Onlookers watch a broadcast of Republican candidate Donald Trump addressing his election night watch party, in Times Square, New York, on Wednesday. Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, pulling off a stunning political comeback in one of the most polarized contests for the White House in U.S. history.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 7, 2024
U.S. allies and partners gird for return of ‘transactional’ Trump
Trump is expected to raise his demands at every turn, a scenario that could very well play out with Japan, especially if Tokyo remains mired in political turmoil.
The guidance provided in the White House’s first-ever National Security Memorandum on artificial intelligence is bound to have implications for U.S. allies and partners, some of which are already struggling to keep up with the fast pace of technological change.
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Nov 4, 2024
New U.S. AI guidance puts pressure on allies — and rivals — to adopt tech
The extent to which these guidelines will be fully implemented in Washington may ultimately depend on one important factor, however: Tuesday's presidential election.
Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice Adm. Angus Topshee inspects an honor guard with Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Akira Saito during a meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2024
Canada Navy chief sees more chances for multiservice exercises with Japan
Ottawa has been gradually boosting its military engagement with Asian partners since unveiling its Indo-Pacific Strategy in late 2022.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (right) shakes hands with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell before their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Friday morning, ahead of the announcement of Japan and the EU's new defense and security partnership.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2024
Japan and EU launch defense and security tie-up amid mutual China concerns
The move is aimed at developing, deepening and strengthening cooperation and dialogue across all areas of security and defense, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya says.
Hugh Jeffrey, the Australian Department of Defence’s deputy secretary for strategy, policy and industry, says the next 18 to 24 months will see Tokyo and Canberra not only test and share new technologies and capabilities, it will also see increased military deployments to each other’s territories.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2024
Japan and Australia gear up for boosted defense tie-ups over next two years
In an interview, a senior Australian defense official spoke about cooperation in the industrial and technical fields in addition to military-to-military ties.
When Italy’s Cavour aircraft carrier visited Japan in August, it was the latest in a string of other ports of call by European nations such as Britain, Germany and France, all of whom are engaging in military and defense industry partnerships in East Asia.
ASIA PACIFIC / Longform
Oct 25, 2024
Will Europe's pivot to Asia have any teeth?
Deals are being made and carriers are making visits, but it is yet to be seen if nations on the other side of the world will come when a crisis hits.
The South Korean Coast Guard vessel Taepyongyang, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Waesche and the Japan Coast Guard vessel Wakasa patrol in formation during a trilateral exercise in the Sea of Japan in June.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 23, 2024
With ramped-up activities, U.S. Coast Guard plots greater Indo-Pacific role
The move comes at a time when a growing number of coast guards in the region are becoming deeply involved in patrolling disputed waters.
The Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney fires an SM-6 missile during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024 in August.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 22, 2024
Australia to buy advanced U.S. long-range missiles to boost deterrence
The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles, similar to those being procured by Japan, will be progressively rolled out across the Royal Australian Navy’s warships.
Japanese firm Space Entertainment Laboratory is showcasing a model of its fully autonomous, battery-powered Hamadori 3000 amphibious drone at this week's Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 18, 2024
Drone solutions take center stage in Tokyo aerospace show
A flurry of dual-use unmanned aerial vehicles are being showcased, a testament to their growing popularity and the Defense Ministry’s increasing demand for them.
At this week's Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries unveiled concepts of two drone systems that could potentially operate alongside the next-generation fighter aircraft that Japan is developing with Italy and Britain. The full-scale model on the left is of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drone while the other is a 1:10 scale model of a tactical combat drone.
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2024
MHI and BAE showcase drones for potential use with GCAP fighter
The artificial intelligence-enabled drones are being designed to not only support and escort combat aircraft but also perform their own missions.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends the East Asia Summit during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 11, 2024
Ishiba clears low bar in diplomatic debut
Experts said Ishiba's visit signaled that he would maintain continuity with the policies set by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Ishiba addresses the ASEAN-Japan Summit meeting in Laos on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 10, 2024
Ishiba keeps low profile as he makes diplomatic debut
The prime minister made pledges to strengthen maritime security and promote decarbonization during his first international trip since taking office.
Canadian Ambassador to Japan Ian McKay, who is also his country's special envoy for the Indo-Pacific, takes part in an interview with The Japan Times last week.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 6, 2024
Canada eyes joint coast guard patrols with more Asian partners, envoy says
Canada is recognized as a leader in terms of its "Dark Vessel Detection" technology designed to identify vessels fishing illegally in protected maritime areas.
The icebreaker CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier at the Port of Yokohama on Wednesday. The vessel arrived on Monday after conducting a series of patrols to detect and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the northern Pacific, a region critical to implementing Canada’s overarching Indo-Pacific Strategy.
JAPAN
Oct 2, 2024
Canada marks expansion of coast guard cooperation with Japan port call
The move will set the stage for greater cooperation with partners in the region as Ottawa ramps up efforts to tackle illegal fishing in the Pacific, experts say.
A U.S. Marine participates in counterdrone training in June 2021.
WORLD
Oct 1, 2024
Pentagon’s Replicator 2 to focus on countering threat from small drones
U.S. military facilities around the globe, including those in Japan and South Korea, are expected to benefit from the initiative.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Waesche and crew transit the San Francisco Bay en route to Base Alameda, California, on Aug. 11 following a 120-day Indo-Pacific patrol.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 27, 2024
U.S. Coast Guard advising Manila as it seeks bigger Indo-Pacific footprint
It has also been assisting Manila in its missions to resupply the Philippine garrison at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, the agency's Pacific area chief says.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami arrives in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean during a scheduled port visit in July. The Sazanami became the first Japanese warship to sail through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 26, 2024
Japan MSDF warship sails through Taiwan Strait for first time
The transit on Wednesday, which follows a spate of Chinese military moves near Japan, drew a strongly worded warning from Beijing.
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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