National Apr 4, 2021
Japan eyes deploying F-35B stealth jets to ASDF base in Miyazaki
Japan's fiscal 2019-2023 midterm defense buildup program has already included a plan to buy 18 F-35B jets and introduce them by fiscal 2023.
National Mar 3, 2021
Japan scrambling fighters less often against China as it looks to deploy more F-35s
The policy change comes as the Defense Ministry seeks to shift from reactively mobilizing aircraft to proactive surveillance, freeing up resources to concentrate on more high-level training.
National Dec 12, 2020
Due to ballooning costs, Japan has decided not to include spending in the next budget for upgrading F-15 fighter jets to carry long-range cruise missiles.
National Dec 2, 2020
Japan to work with both U.S. and Britain on next fighter jet
Japan has decided to develop a successor to its aging F-2 fighter jet jointly with both the United States and Britain instead of picking only one partner, government sources said Wednesday. Under the plan, Japan will work with the two partners on specific parts for ...
National Oct 12, 2020
Japan considered drone fighters under ex-defense chief Taro Kono
The Air Self-Defense Force's aging F-2s are expected to start being retired within two decades. Drones, with no space for a pilot and no safety kit, cost less to build.
National Jul 7, 2020
Japan to build prototype of F-2 successor fighter from fiscal 2024
A company to undertake the manufacturing of the fighter body will be selected as early as in October, the Defense Ministry said.
National May 18, 2020
Japan launches new squadron to step up defense in outer space
The squadron, part of the Air Self-Defense Force, will monitor space debris and suspicious satellites to prevent collisions with Japanese satellites.
National May 9, 2020
Japan to launch ASDF space unit to monitor threat to satellites
Japan will launch its first space operations unit within the Air Self-Defense Force on May 18 to monitor threats to Japanese satellites in outer space, Defense Minister Taro Kono has said. The Space Domain Mission Unit will be tasked with tracking space debris and meteorites ...
National / Crime & Legal Feb 8, 2020
Former ASDF colonel indicted over defense leak involving E-2D early warning plane
Tokyo prosecutors indicted on Friday a former Air Self-Defense Force officer for allegedly leaking confidential information on a U.S.-made military aircraft to unauthorized individuals. According to the indictment, former ASDF Col. So Kanno, 58, showed two people including a trading house employee data on the ...
National Jan 16, 2020
Two Air Self-Defense Force planes arrived at an air base on the outskirts of Sydney on Thursday to assist in fighting unprecedented and deadly bush fires across the country. ASDF Col. Masashi Ota, who is leading the mission, told reporters upon arrival that he is ...
National Dec 6, 2019
Blue Impulse aerobatics team to draw Olympic rings in sky at flame-welcoming ceremony
Japan's Blue Impulse aerobatics team will draw the five Olympic rings in the sky with colored smoke at a ceremony in March to mark the arrival of the sacred flame from Greece, a source said Friday. The 2020 Tokyo Organising Committee has decided that the ...
Asia Pacific Oct 29, 2019
U.S. B-52 bombers make rare training flight over Sea of Japan with ASDF
by Jesse Johnson
Two U.S. B-52 heavy bombers made a rare training flight with the Air Self-Defense Force over the Sea of Japan last week, in a mission that likely comes in response to a spate of North Korean short-range missile tests over the last several months. The ...