National Jun 29, 2021
Tokyo judged that the SPY-7 radar is better in terms of performance and costs based on explanations by the U.S side. But costs may balloon as the ships will now have to be built bigger.
National Dec 19, 2020
Japan may equip Aegis ships with long-range standoff missiles
The government may install the missiles on two ships that were recently approved for development in the face of China's growing naval assertiveness.
National | FOCUS Dec 18, 2020
Japan's additional Aegis ships could encourage further arms buildup
by Reito Kaneko and Munehisa Tokunaga
The proposed deployment could allow China and Russia to justify further military expansion, experts say.
National Dec 9, 2020
Japan to build two new Aegis ships as alternative to land-based system
by Reito Kaneko
Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi also announced that Japan plans to develop standoff missiles that can be launched at targets from outside the range of enemy missiles.
National Nov 28, 2020
Cabinet set to approve destroyers as alternative to Aegis Ashore
The plan designed to counter the North Korean missile threat is expected to be given the nod as early as mid-December so spending can be earmarked in the fiscal 2021 budget.
National Nov 26, 2020
LDP lawmakers back Aegis ships as alternative to land-based system
The government has been seeking three offshore alternative options after its decision earlier this year to scrap its plan to deploy the U.S.-developed Aegis Ashore system.
National Mar 19, 2020
Japan gets seventh Aegis destroyer, with improved SM-3 interceptor
The Maritime Self-Defense Force on Thursday put into commission its newest Aegis-equipped destroyer, the first of its vessels to be equipped with an improved antiballistic missile jointly developed by the United States and Japan. The Maya, capable of countering short- to intermediate-range threats with the ...
National Dec 2, 2019
MSDF captain first woman in Japan to command an Aegis destroyer
Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Miho Otani on Monday became the first woman to take the helm of one of Japan's Aegis destroyers and pledged to set an example for other female sailors in the fleet. "I expect you to pursue our missions without hesitation," Otani, ...
National Jul 18, 2019
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force launches new Aegis destroyer in Yokohama
The newest Aegis-equipped destroyer of the Maritime Self-Defense Force was launched Wednesday at a shipyard in Yokohama. The ship, built by Japan Marine United Corp., was named the Haguro at the launching ceremony, and is slated to go into service around March 2021. Once the Haguro ...
National Oct 29, 2018
U.S. forces in Japan are set to establish a new command for the U.S. Army's ballistic missile defense unit in the Asian country, and have started stationing personnel, it has been learned. The move is apparently aimed at countering threats from North Korea, which still ...
National / Politics Sep 3, 2018
Defense Ministry to equip Aegis ship with SM-6 missile interceptor system
The Defense Ministry plans to equip the Maritime Self-Defense Force's new Aegis-equipped destroyer Maya with the Standard Missile-6, or SM-6, anti-air missile system to shoot down cruise missiles, according to informed sources. The ministry included ¥13.2 billion in its fiscal 2019 budget request to acquire ...
National / Politics Jul 30, 2018
Japan launches next-generation destroyer carrying latest version of the Aegis anti-missile system
by Reiji Yoshida
A launching ceremony for an 8,200-ton, 169.9-meter warship for the Maritime Self-Defense Force was held Monday at a plant in Yokohama's Isogo Ward as Tokyo keeps steadily bolstering its defense capability against North Korean and Chinese missiles in close cooperation with U.S. military forces. The ...