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May 02, 2024
 

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DEFENSE MINISTRY

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.
A Ground Self-Defense Force AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter fires ammunition during a live-fire exercise in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 25, 2024
Will drones replace helicopter pilots in the Self-Defense Forces?
Japan has already begun to make a major shift to transfer the functions of traditional defense aircraft to unmanned aerial vehicles.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara says Washington has promised to consult with Tokyo before it resumes Osprey flights in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2024
U.S. promises to consult with Japan before resuming Osprey flights
Washington and Tokyo suspended flights after an Osprey crashed into the sea near Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture in late November, killing all eight on board.
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro arrives to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta in November.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 16, 2024
Philippines hopes to sign troops pact with Japan early this year
Manila hopes to sign in the first quarter of the year a deal with Tokyo allowing the deployment of military forces on each other's soil, the Philippines' defense chief said.
A person walks amid the snowy wreckage of collapsed homes and power lines in earthquake-hit Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 16, 2024
U.S. military to join relief effort in earthquake-hit Noto area
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said that the U.S. military and the SDF would be working “side by side” in the operations.
The Defense Ministry in Tokyo is one of the places newly added to the list of locations where the acquisition and use of land in nearby areas is subject to tighter regulations.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 15, 2024
Japan tightens land use rules near six U.S. military facilities
The law encourages scrutiny of land use near designated facilities and the regulation of activities there that could prevent interference of operations in the area.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Did Japan intervene to prop up the yen? Analysts think it did.
A man walks past an electronic board displaying the exchange rate for the yen against the U.S. dollar (right) in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Number of vacant homes in Japan hits record high of 9 million
A vacant house in Tokyo is seen demolished in January 2020.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.

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