Tag - defense-ministry

 
 

DEFENSE MINISTRY

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.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese prior to their talks in San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2023.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 15, 2024
Japan and Australia in talks on cooperation in military contingencies
With China in mind, Tokyo envisions establishing bilateral defense cooperation guidelines with Canberra to clarify their role-sharing, sources said.
People watch a television screen showing  file footage of a North Korean missile test, at the main railway station in Seoul on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 14, 2024
In first launch of 2024, North Korea tests intermediate-range missile
The South Korean military said the launch was of an IRBM-class weapon, which is believed to have a range of up to 5,000 kilometers.
Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2024
Vice GSDF chief visited Yasukuni Shrine with subordinates
The ministry is investigating the details as the visit may be a violation of an administrative vice minister directive issued in 1974.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade takes part in a marine landing drill on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 29, 2023
Kishida’s military build-up plans face bumpy road ahead
One year on, questions remain as to whether the embattled leader, whose support rate recently dipped to new lows, can follow through on his pledges.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force take part in a joint military drill in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, in January.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2023
Japanese major general demoted over power harassment
The punishment was the second heaviest available after dismissal and the first two-rank demotion at the GSDF.
A Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air guided missile at the Air Self-Defense Force's Miyakojima Sub Base in Okinawa Prefecture in November
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2023
In major shift, Japan eases rules on exporting defense gear
The policy change could see Japan make its first export of lethal military equipment as early as next year.
A PAC-3 surface-to-air guided missile at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo in June
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 20, 2023
Japan may make U.S. PAC-3 missiles in first weapon deal after ban
The missiles, made under license from a U.S. company, would be the first weapons to be exported in finished form from Japan after the ban is eased.
Soldiers from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises on Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Japan eyes record ¥7.7 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2024
Work to compile the budget is continuing without a decision on the timing of tax hikes to fund a substantial increased in defense spending.
A radar facility set up for coastal surveillance by the Ground Self-Defense Force's Yonaguni base on Yonaguni island in Okinawa Prefecture.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Dec 14, 2023
Acquiring counterstrike capabilities is no simple matter for Japan
Under its defense and security strategies, deterrence by denial and deterrence by punishment are the essence of Japan’s deterrence capabilities.
A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey aircraft takes part in a live-fire exercise at the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 13, 2023
U.S. and Japan defense chiefs call Osprey safety 'top priority'
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara asked that the U.S. military not resume Osprey flights until the aircraft's safety could be ensured.
U.S. military Ospreys and helicopters are lined up on a runway at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Dec. 1
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 7, 2023
U.S. military grounds all Osprey aircraft after Japan crash
A preliminary investigation into the crash last week indicated that problems with the aircraft — not a mistake by the crew — had led to the deaths.
A Maritime Self-Defense Force warship searches for the crashed CV-22 Osprey off Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 5, 2023
Japan defense chief says concerns linger after U.S. Osprey crew remains found
Dive teams have found the remains of five more crew members from a CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that crashed off southwestern Japan last week.
The Principals’ Board for the Combined Space Operations initiative gather in Ottawa in February 2020 for its annual meeting to formally recognize the addition of France and Germany to the CSpO.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2023
Japan to attend meeting of multilateral space security initiative
Current member countries are slated to discuss Japan's bid to become an official CSpO member, among other topics.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the control center of the National Aerospace Technology Administration in Pyongyang to inspect the operational readiness of a new military spy satellite and view photographs in this image released Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 25, 2023
North Korea's Kim views satellite photos of South Korea and Hawaii
Pyongyang claimed the images showed “major target areas,” including Seoul and cities home to U.S. military bases in South Korea.
A U.S. service member passes in front of an MQ-9 Reaper drone in 2018. The U.S. military in Japan has relocated its reconnaissance drone operations unit to Okinawa, despite local objection.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 25, 2023
U.S. spy drones relocated to Okinawa despite local objection
The shift is part of moves to strengthen surveillance of Chinese activities in nearby waters following a temporary deployment to the Kyushu region.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 24, 2023
Japan says North Korean ‘object’ orbiting Earth after launch
"We need to continue to carefully analyze the details, including whether the satellite is orbiting the Earth as intended," the defense minister said.

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