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Nobuhiro Kubo

A concept model of the Global Combat Air Program's fighter jet during an exhibition at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on May 21

JAPAN

May 30, 2025

Japan frets over fighter rollout target and weighs stopgap options, sources say

The joint Global Combat Air Program is falling behind schedule due to a lack of urgency from Britain and Italy, one of the sources said.

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 / 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 / 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.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.

What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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