National Oct 22, 2020
Sea-based missile defense may cost Japan double price of Aegis Ashore
Delays and higher costs could rekindle support for an onshore plan, as Japan's public finances are strained by debt.
Commentary / Japan Oct 22, 2020
Five takeaways from the Australia-Japan defense ministers' joint statement
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
For Japan, it provides a standard for which other potential security partners like the U.K., Canada and the Philippines can follow.
Commentary / World Sep 8, 2020
Straight talk about Taiwan and ‘strategic ambiguity’
by Brad Glosserman
A lack of clarity dissuades China from seeking reunification through force by leaving open the possibility of a U.S. response and dissuades Taiwan from reckless actions.
Commentary / Japan Apr 1, 2020
NSC change prepares Japan for new global realities
by Brad Glosserman
Japan is moving toward a wiser decision-making process when it comes to key security questions.
Commentary / Japan Dec 19, 2019
Looking back on Japan's security in 2019
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
2019 had its share of good, bad and ugly moments, but overall it was a net positive for Japanese security.
National / Politics | Commentary Dec 1, 2019
Aligning interests deepen Japanese-Aussie defense ties
by Grant Wyeth
Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds made her first official visit to Tokyo in November, holding talks with her counterpart, Taro Kono, reiterating their commitment to the security relationship between the two countries, and consolidated a series of new measures designed to deepen their defense ...
National Nov 28, 2019
Japan arranging for defense chief Taro Kono to visit China in mid-December
The government is making arrangements for a mid-December visit to China by Defense Minister Taro Kono to meet with his Chinese counterpart Gen. Wei Fenghe, Japanese government sources said Thursday. If realized, it will be the first visit for a Japanese defense chief to China ...
National / Politics Nov 23, 2019
Japan, South Korea ministers agree on leaders' China summit after key intelligence pact thaw
The foreign ministers of Japan and South Korean agreed Saturday to arrange a summit between their leaders next month, seeking to build on a lowering of tensions after Seoul remained a party to a key military pact. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Moon Jae-in ...
National Nov 4, 2019
South Korean defense chief wants to maintain info-sharing pact with Japan
South Korean Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo called Monday for the country's military information-sharing pact with Japan to be kept alive. At a meeting of the National Assembly, Jeong said his ministry's position is that the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with ...
Editorials Nov 3, 2019
The new NSC better positions Japan to take on and respond to new challenges.
National Sep 25, 2019
Japan's first air combat drills with Australia contribute to peace, says Defense Minister Taro Kono
Defense Minister Taro Kono said Wednesday that boosting security cooperation with Australia will lead to regional stability, hailing the first-ever joint air combat drills between the two countries. "Strengthening cooperation between Japan and Australia through exercises will lead to peace in the region," Kono said ...
National / Politics Sep 10, 2019
Abe's plan for U.S. Aegis Ashore missile shield rattles Akita residents
by Isabel Reynolds and Emi Nobuhiro
The sleepy neighborhood of Araya in the city of Akita seemed like the perfect place for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to put a U.S. anti-missile system. The area has reliably backed the ruling party and has firsthand experience of a North Korean rocket flying ...