Chinese jets, SDF flirt with 'Top Gun' scenario near Senkakus
Chinese fighter jets flew within a few dozen meters of Japanese military planes over the East China Sea, officials in Tokyo said Sunday, prompting Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera to accuse Beijing of going "over the top" in its approach to disputed territory. The Chinese SU-27 ...
A Tokyo High Court ruling for the plaintiff in a damages suit over the suicide of a Maritime Self-Defense Force member highlights the deplorable attempt by the MSDF to cover up evidence that the victim was bullied.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on Monday urged the United States to work to reduce the concentration of military bases on Okinawa when he met with the U.S. military's top commander in the Pacific. "Okinawa approved our permit (for landfill to relocate a military base) in ...
The Defense Ministry has started the process for purchasing a new aircraft to be used for overseas trips by prime ministers and members of the Imperial family. Officials said they will hold a briefing Feb. 3 for companies seeking to win the order and decide ...
Ministry seeks radical revamp of defense equipment production policy
The Defense Ministry aims to revamp a defense equipment production strategy policy that since 1970 has limited manufacture to domestic companies.
The Defense Ministry's proposal to restructure itself for the sake of more efficient Self-Defense Force operations runs the risk of weakening, ultimately, civilian control of the SDF.
The Defense Ministry plans to build a communications intelligence facility on Iwoto Island in the Pacific to improve its ability to conduct surveillance on China and its growing military presence, a government source said Thursday. The ministry's budget request for next fiscal year includes part ...
The Defense Ministry plans to establish a vice ministerial-level post for handling discussions with other countries on exchanges and strategic dialogue.
An interim outline of Japan's new defense policy points suspiciously toward deviations from the country's postwar defense-only posture that has won it friends.
The Abe administration will begin reviewing Japan's embargo on exporting arms with the aim of creating new guidelines effectively abolishing the long-standing policy.
Amphibious warfare, first-strike options eyed in defense policy revamp
The Defense Ministry will explain its plans to boost the amphibious and pre-emptive strike capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces in its interim revision of Japan's long-term defense policy, ministry sources said Sunday. The move underscores the focus the ministry is putting on defending the nation's ...
The Defense Ministry plans to create a new post of joint forces commander just under the joint staff chief for the Self-Defense Forces, ministry sources said Thursday. The joint commander will take over SDF command duties from the joint staff chief who has become busy ...
