Japan's initial fiscal 2020 budget to top ¥100 trillion again, hitting new record
Japan's initial budget for fiscal 2020 will hit a record high and top ¥100 trillion ($920 billion) for the second straight year due to swelling social security and defense costs, government sources said Monday. The initial general account budget for the current fiscal year ending ...
Ministry to step up monitoring of defense firms' business conditions
In an effort to ensure stable and safe procurement, the Defense Ministry will strengthen its surveillance of the financial conditions of domestic equipment suppliers to the Self-Defense Forces, a government source said Sunday. It will also consider using state funds to bail out firms in ...
With hazy plan for SDF dispatch to Mideast, is Japan pursuing contradictory goals?
It was an unusual meeting starting at around 7:30 a.m. at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 23, hastily organized so government officials could get lawmakers up to speed. In the week before, the government had abruptly announced plans to dispatch ...
Taro Kono: A different kind of defense minister
For the first time ever, the Defense Ministery is headed by a prime minister-ready politician.
Japan Defense Ministry opens new Twitter account for disaster info
The Defense Ministry set up a new Twitter account on Friday to spread information on disaster relief efforts, ahead of the arrival of very powerful Typhoon Hagibis. The permanent account, @ModJapan_saigai, will send out information regarding water supply and bathing access activities conducted by the ...
As defense chief, Taro Kono faces test to prove himself as potential successor to Shinzo Abe
Having been handed the defense portfolio in the Sept. 11 Cabinet reshuffle, Defense Minister Taro Kono is now under a spotlight as observers watch for him to prove his credentials as a potential successor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Formerly foreign minister, Kono is now ...
Chinese and Russian bombers flew near Senkakus in July, Japan Defense Ministry says
A Defense Ministry official says four Chinese and Russian bombers approached the disputed Senkaku Islands in July.
South Korea's standing effectively downgraded in Japan's annual defense report
The report says some “negative” actions by Seoul have affected bilateral defense cooperation.
Japan eyes hike in starting pay for SDF members as recruitment numbers falter
The Defense Ministry is considering an increase to the starting pay for Self-Defense Forces members from fiscal 2020, which begins in April next year, according to sources. The ministry aims to narrow the wage gap between SDF members and police officers in a bid to ...
Abe says Japan's ASDF may evolve into 'air and space' defense force
Referring to the 2020 plan for a space operation unit inside the ASDF, Abe said that it is “not a pipe dream” for Japan to have such combined forces.
Defense Ministry to set up electronic warfare unit in Kumamoto Prefecture
As part of an effort to strengthen the defense of outlying islands, the Defense Ministry plans to set up an electronic warfare unit at Camp Kengun, operated by the Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army in Kumamoto Prefecture. A cybersecurity unit was established at the same ...
Japan plan to buy cutting-edge U.S. tankers and transport planes comes under fire from SDF official
The government is stepping up purchases of state-of-the-art U.S. military planes under Washington's foreign military sales (FMS) program, but its plan has come under fire from some corners — including Self-Defense Force officials. The Defense Ministry has sought ¥501.3 billion under the government's budget for ...
