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July 05, 2025
 

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DEFENSE MINISTRY

JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 31, 2017
Loopholes let records pertaining to Abe's scandals slip through the cracks
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in crisis, stung by scandals that have bitten into his public approval ratings in recent weeks.
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2017
Inada makes resignation official; Kishida to pick up defense portfolio
Beleaguered Defense Minister Tomomi Inada announced Friday that she will resign over allegations that a cover-up was conducted to hide the politically sensitive activity logs of the Ground Self-Defense Force unit that was deployed for peacekeeping duty in conflict-riven South Sudan.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 26, 2017
Leaked document conflicts with Inada claims of no knowledge of activity log cover-up
Another leaked internal document has rocked the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, again suggesting that Defense Minister Tomomi Inada — contrary to previous public denials — had been informed Feb. 13 of an alleged data cover-up concerning Ground Self-Defense Force activity logs.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 28, 2017
Defense minister draws flak for implying SDF support of LDP candidate in Tokyo assembly poll
Defense Minister Tomomi Inada fended off calls for her resignation Wednesday after she suggested the Self-Defense Forces backed a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in the upcoming Tokyo assembly election.
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 / Politics
Feb 7, 2017
Government says it has 'found' lost activity logs of GSDF troops in South Sudan
The Defense Ministry said Tuesday it has found daily activity logs of Japanese troops in South Sudan for last July when the security situation there sharply deteriorated during U.N. peacekeeping operations, reversing its earlier position that the documents had been entirely discarded.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 19, 2016
Defense Ministry seeks record ¥5.16 trillion budget for fiscal 2017: source
The Defense Ministry will request a record budget of ¥5.16 trillion ($51 billion) for fiscal 2017, as tension rises in the East China Sea and North Korea steps up its missile threat, a government official with direct knowledge of the plan said.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2016
SDF is ordered to be ready for North Korea missile launch at any time
The government has ordered the Self-Defense Forces to be ready at any time to shoot down North Korean missiles that threaten to strike Japan, putting personnel on a state of alert for at least three months, a Defense Ministry official said.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 19, 2016
Tarpaulin mishap delays Japan's first military satellite by two years: sources
The launch of Japan's first dedicated military communications satellite will be delayed by two years after a mishap with a blue tarpaulin damaged sensitive antennas during transportation to Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, two government sources said.
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2016
Japan plans July fighter jet tender seen worth $40 billion as tensions with China simmer
A ministry spokesman said Japan will contact foreign and domestic defense contractors regarding the tender for about 100 warplanes.
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2016
Top official denies claim that Chinese fighter was close to firing on ASDF jet
A senior government official on Wednesday flatly denied allegations written on a news website claiming that a Chinese fighter was close to firing on an Air Self-Defense Force jet that had been scrambled over the East China Sea.
JAPAN
Apr 22, 2016
Japan becomes fourth nation to test-fly homegrown stealth jet
The Defense Ministry says the unarmed prototype, called X2, took off from Nagoya airport in Aichi Prefecture early on Friday.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 21, 2016
Japan backs homegrown stealth jet in aerospace industry revival
Japan is set to become the fourth country to test-fly its own stealth jet — a move that is likely to increase its military presence in the region.
EDITORIALS
Feb 26, 2016
Don't weaken civilian control of SDF
The Abe administration must resist efforts by uniformed officers to gain even more power in setting SDF plans.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 6, 2015
Japan offers to build subs in Australia 'from day one'
The Japanese consortium bidding for a $35 billion project to build submarines for Australia said Tuesday it is confident it can build the boats in Australia from the outset should the Australian government request it.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 30, 2015
Senior official says Japan ready to build all submarines for Canberra in Australia
Japan is ready to match European rivals and build a fleet of submarines for Canberra entirely in Australian shipyards, a senior Japanese official said Tuesday, after stumbling in its effort to win a contract worth 50 billion Australian dollars or $34.76 billion.
EDITORIALS
Aug 25, 2015
Defense Ministry internal document
The Abe administration needs to provide sufficient explanations on the SDF's activities and operations related to the bills to the Diet to prevent the SDF from making decisions while keeping the Diet and the public in the dark.
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2015
Japan fighter jet scrambles down by half in April-June
Fighter jet scrambles by the Air Self-Defense Force fell by half in the April-June period to 173 from a year earlier, the Defense Ministry said.
JAPAN
May 7, 2015
Australia to get classified Japanese data on stealthy submarines ahead of bid, sources say
Japan will agree this month to give Australia classified submarine data, an unprecedented step signaling Tokyo's intent to join competitive bidding to sell Canberra a fleet of stealth subs, said two Japanese officials familiar with the plan.
EDITORIALS
Apr 26, 2015
Civilian control over the SDF
Lawmakers should confirm the importance of civilian control of the SDF and pursue ways to strengthen the system rather than to undermine it.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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