author

 
 

Meta

Nobuhiro Kubo
Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a news conference in Tokyo on Friday, ahead of the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 7, 2024
U.S. opposition to Nippon Steel deal 'very unsettling,' PM hopeful Ishiba says
Some experts say blocking the deal could undermine U.S.-Japan cooperation on national security, and put the lie to the notion of "ally shoring."
Self-Defense Forces soldiers walk past a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile unit in Tokyo in October 2017.
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2024
U.S.-Japan Patriot missile production plan hits Boeing component snag
The plan to boost production by the U.S. ally is being delayed by a shortage of a critical component manufactured by Boeing.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is saluted by Maritime Self-Defense Force members during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the MSDF, at Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, on Nov. 6, 2022.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 3, 2023
Weak yen forces Japan to cut back on historic military spending
Officials and industry sources said Japan will begin cutting back on aircraft purchases in 2024, the second year of the buildup plan, due to the weak yen.
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 Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2023
U.S. seeking explosives in Japan for Ukraine artillery shells, sources say
Export rules ban Japanese companies from selling lethal items overseas, but the allies appear to have found a workaround to enable the TNT sale amid global shortages of munitions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 19, 2022
Japan rushes to rearm with eye on 2027 — and China's Taiwan ambitions
By pointing to 2027 as the moment when East Asia's power balance may tip in China's favor, Japan's government can rally support for greater defense spending, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2022
Britain and Japan aim to merge Tempest and F-X fighter programs, sources say
It would be the first time Japan has sought a non-U.S. partner for a large military program and the first major collaboration between Tokyo and London.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2018
Northrop Grumman angles for role in Japanese stealth fighter program, sources say
Northrop Grumman Corp. is eyeing a Japanese jet fighter project that could pit it against Lockheed Martin Corp. three sources said, almost three decades after it lost a similar competition to build an advanced stealth jet for the U.S. Air Force.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2018
Japanese helicopter carrier Kaga to embark on two-month tour of South China Sea and Indian Ocean
Japan will send a large helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean for a second straight year as it looks to bolster its presence in the strategic maritime region with annual tours, two Japanese officials said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2018
Government to pick Lockheed Martin radar for missile defense system: ministry official
The government has selected an advanced radar system made by the U.S. firm for its multibillion-dollar Aegis Ashore missile defense system.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 1, 2018
Japan to buy advanced U.S. radar for missile-defense system
Tokyo's upgrade could help ease trade friction with Washington and provide cutting-edge protection against the arsenals of North Korea and China.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2018
Japan said to seek role in French-German marine surveillance plane project for first major arms deal since WWII
In a bid to win its first major foreign arms deal since World War II, Japan proposes its P-1 submarine hunter for a French-German project to develop a marine surveillance aircraft.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2018
Lockheed Martin to offer Japan stealthy hybrid of F-22 and F-35 fighters to upgrade ASDF: sources
U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. plans to offer Japan a stealth fighter design based on its export-banned F-22 Raptor and advanced F-35 Lightning II aircraft, two sources said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Mar 21, 2018
China — not North Korea — to dominate Japanese military planning
North Korea's growing missile arsenal might be the most obvious and immediate military threat facing Japan, but defense planners in Tokyo are focused on a much larger and more challenging foe as they prepare for the years ahead.
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2018
Japan to buy at least 20 more F-35A stealth fighters, with some or all assembled in U.S.: sources
Japan plans to buy at least 20 additional F-35A stealth fighters over the next six years, some or all of which it may purchase directly from U.S.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. rather than having them assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., its primary defense contractor, three sources said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 11, 2017
Japan to build four radar stations for the Philippines to counter piracy surge, sources say
Japan will build four coast guard radar stations on islands in the Sulu Celebes Seas separating the Philippines and Indonesia to help Manila counter a surge in piracy by Islamic insurgents, two sources said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 11, 2017
Japan said to offer chopper parts to Philippines as counter to China
Japan will use spare helicopter parts to curry favor with the Philippines as China continues to aggressively press its claims in the South China Sea.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 11, 2017
Japanese arms makers muster at MAST to build ties with Southeast Asia
Defense firms put their wares on display Monday at Japan's only dedicated arms show, a site for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to promote industrial military ties that will bolster the country's influence in Southeast Asia.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 23, 2017
U.S. and Japanese firms collaborating on new missile defense radar, sources say
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are working with Japanese partners on rival projects, government and defense industry sources in Tokyo said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 12, 2017
Japan plans joint show of force with U.S. carrier headed to Korean Peninsula, sources say
The Maritime Self-Defense Force plans joint drills with the U.S. Navy's Carl Vinson carrier strike group as it steams toward the Korean Peninsula in a display of military power aimed at deterring the North Korean regime from further missile tests, two sources said.

Longform

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo is a popular place to foster curiosity in the natural sciences.
Can Japan's scientific community rebound from a Nobel nosedive?