Tag - defense-ministry

 
 

DEFENSE MINISTRY

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 flies near Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Thursday morning.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 14, 2024
U.S. military resumes Osprey flights in Japan
The resumption came after Washington last week lifted a worldwide flight ban on the aircraft following a deadly crash last year.
The wreckage of a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter is salvaged by a vessel off Ikema Island in Okinawa Prefecture last May.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 11, 2024
GSDF probe fails to identify cause of deadly helicopter crash
The cause of the crash that killed all 10 on board could not be pinpointed because part of the flight recorder data was damaged.
Ground Self-Defense Force members disembark from a V-22 Osprey aircraft during an annual live-fire exercise at East Fuji Maneuver Area, in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 11, 2024
Osprey safety concerns linger in Japan, despite U.S. reassurances
Critics have decried the lack of specifics about the cause of the deadly November crash as Tokyo and Washington tout "unprecedented" information-sharing.
The U.S. Navy's USS Fitzgerald guided-missile destroyer sits in Dry Dock 4 for continued repairs and assessment of damage it sustained during a June 2017 collision with a merchant vessel, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, in July 2017.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 9, 2024
U.S. eyes extensive repair of warships at Japan shipyards
Private Japanese firms have been engaging in the repair work of U.S. military vessels that do not directly engage in combat, such as transport ships.
A U.S. V-22 Osprey lands on the USS Mesa Verde ship during excercises in the Baltic Sea in September.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 8, 2024
U.S. lifts Osprey flight ban, eyeing aircraft's return to Japan's skies
Tokyo and Washington will closely coordinate a timeline for resuming flights of Osprey V-22 aircraft in Japan, three months after a deadly accident.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters that the U.S. formally made the request on Thursday evening.
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2024
U.S. asks Japan to lift ban on Osprey flights
The tilt-rotor aircraft was grounded after one of them crashed into the sea off Yakushima, Kagoshima, in November, killing all eight U.S. airmen on board.
Japan has been particularly sensitive about the prospect of resuming Osprey flights following the November crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 variant.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 2, 2024
U.S. to lift ban on Osprey flights, three months after deadly Japan crash
The U.S. military will next week share its plans with Japan — the sole international partner involved in the Osprey program.
Rina Gonoi, a former Self-Defense Forces member who accused colleagues of sexually assaulting her during her time in the military, speaks during an interview in Yokohama last December.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 2, 2024
Japanese ex-soldier wins U.S. award for fight against sexual harassment
The U.S. will honor former Self-Defense Forces soldier Rina Gonoi with the International Women of Courage Award.
An MQ-9 Reaper drone stands on the runway at Naval Base Ventura County Sea Range, Point Mugu, near Oxnard, California. The Defense Ministry is considering purchasing the Reaper for intercepting foreign aircraft approaching Japanese airspace.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 1, 2024
New drone tech in spotlight as Japan eyes boosted capabilities
As Tokyo seeks to beef up its unmanned systems, inspiration could come from the latest tech displayed at this year's Singapore Airshow.
Japan-made defense products on display at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 23. Japan’s revision of its defense export guidelines is critical for the development of a next-generation fighter jet with the U.K. and Italy.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 29, 2024
Talks on easing Japan defense export rules pushed back to March
The Liberal Democratic Party and junior coalition partner Komeito failed to reach an agreement on revisions to existing restrictions on Wednesday.
The Japan Pavillion is seen at the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Feb 21, 2024
At top airshow, Japanese firms explore defense export opportunities
They are offering a diverse and sophisticated range of products following a revision of guidelines on defense equipment and technology transfer.
Sadayuki Sakakibara, head of a Defense Ministry expert panel, speaks during its meeting at the ministry on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Japan's $290 billion defense spending plan insufficient: experts
The spending plan is already much larger than in past years to address security threats.
A model of the next-generation fighter jet set to be built by Japan, Britain and Italy is seen at the DSEI defense event in London last September.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 18, 2024
Japan looks to limit third-country defense exports to next-gen fighter jet
Tokyo plans to limit — at least for now — exports of finished defense equipment co-developed with others to the jet being built with Italy and Britain.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (left) and Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki hold talks at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Saturday.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2024
Defense minister meets Okinawa governor over U.S. base transfer
The meeting came over a month after the central government started construction work on a part of the new base for relocation.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo speaks during an interview in Pasay City, Metro Manila, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 17, 2024
Philippines eyes hosting 'two-plus-two' security talks with Japan this year
The countries' foreign and defense ministers will likely meet toward the middle or second half of the year, with a key security pact on the agenda.
An honor guard from the Self-Defense Forces prepares for a ceremony.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 17, 2024
Japan SDF to soften hairstyle rules as recruit shortage worsens
The Defense Ministry will allow recruits to have longer hair from April this year as it aims to attract young people.
Maritime Self-Defense Force officers engage in a training of emergency medical treatment in the Kunisaki transport vessel in September 2022.
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2024
Japan Defense Ministry to make blood products fit for all types
The use of whole blood products will help save time checking blood type compatibility and provide speedier treatment to injured troops.
Members of the Self-Defense Forces engage in search operations in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Jan. 13.
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2024
170,000 SDF members sent to Noto quake areas over one month
SDF personnel rescued about 1,000 people, according to the Defense Ministry.
A rendering of next-generation fighter jets under joint development by Japan, Britain and Italy
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 28, 2024
Japan and U.S. agree on AI research for drones to assist new fighter jet
Tokyo and Washington hope to use the technology in drones that would work in tandem with the Asian nation's next fighter jet.
The Defense Ministry has punished senior GSDF officials over the use of an official vehicle to visit Tokyo's war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, but said that since the trip was a private one and "based on their free will," it was not subject to any penalty.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 27, 2024
GSDF vice chief punished for using official car for Yasukuni visit
The ministry, however, said that the visit itself to the shrine was a private one and "based on their free will," and thus not subject to any penalty.

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A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world