Tag - defense

 
 

DEFENSE

Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 17, 2016
Ex-commander says U.K.'s 'withered' forces could not defend country
Britain's armed forces would be unable to defend the country against a serious military attack because they have been "withered" by cuts, a former senior commander warned before his retirement, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2016
Defense Ministry requests ¥5.1 trillion for fiscal 2017 to address new threats
The Defense Ministry requests more than u00a55.1 trillion for fiscal 2017 to deal with North Korea, China and terrorism that is putting ordinary Japanese at risk.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 22, 2016
A 'no first use' policy' is safer
A 'no first use' nuclear policy lowers nuclear temptations, deepens strategic stability and reduces nuclear threats.
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 / Politics
Aug 12, 2016
Overseas trip to forestall annual visit to Yasukuni by new defense chief Inada
Despite much speculation, new defense chief Tomomi Inada probably won't visit problematic Yasukuni Shrine on Japan's surrender anniversary and will instead catch a flight to Djibouti.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / CABINET INTERVIEW
Aug 4, 2016
Japan's new defense chief dodges questions on Yasukuni, reverses position on nuclear weapons
Newly appointed Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on Thursday refused to clarify her position on sensitive historical issues, insisting she is "not in a position" to express her views on Japan's wars against China and the Allied powers in the 1930s and '40s.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 3, 2016
Abe's defense minister pick sparks concern over relations with South Korea
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's choice for the key post of defense minister, Tomomi Inada, is a politician known for her strong nationalistic views.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 29, 2016
North Korea threat prompts Japan to upgrade Patriot batteries in time for Olympics: sources
Japan is upgrading its Patriot PAC-3 missile defense system in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, adding range and accuracy needed to intercept more advanced North Korean ballistic missiles, four sources with knowledge of the plan said.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 7, 2016
Growing activity in East China Sea shines spotlight on lack of Japan-China communication protocol
The Defense Ministry said fighter jets were scrambled a record 199 times between April and June in response to Chinese aircraft activity.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2016
Science Council to make clear position on lifting military-linked research ban by early next year
A committee of 15 academics with the Science Council of Japan held a meeting on whether to revise its long-held stance to never engage in military research.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 16, 2016
Alcohol de-glamorization and accountability
Drinking by high-ranking U.S. officers and events where alcohol is featured work at cross-purposes to the military's message of temperance.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 15, 2016
Bring U.S. military forces home from Okinawa
More than 70 years after World War II, Japan should finally act like a normal country: defending itself, guarding its region, and ending its dependence on America.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 30, 2016
Trump's Japan-bashing and the security alliance
Even if Donald Trump ultimately loses the presidential race, his campaign may nevertheless prompt a reconsideration of both the U.S. policy of a rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and its TPP trade strategy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 16, 2016
Trump remarks prompt debate over cost of Japan-U.S. defense ties
Donald Trump, who is now expected to be the Republican candidate for U.S. president, has made a number of disturbing remarks.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 2, 2016
Aussie desire for nuclear option may have sunk Japanese sub bid
Japan reportedly lost the strategically important Australian submarine deal in part because the designs proposed by France can easily be refitted for nuclear propulsion.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 1, 2016
Jobs help sink Japan's sub bid
In the end the government was not prepared to pay the biggest political cost of all, which is domestic electoral consequences of any decision that laid waste to still more manufacturing jobs in the state of South Australia.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 29, 2016
Security laws usher in new era for pacifist Japan
Marking a historic change in Japan's pacifist diplomacy, two divisive security laws take effect that allow Tokyo to engage in collective self-defense based on the reinterpreted Constitution.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 29, 2016
Trump wants to leave U.S. alliance partners in the lurch
Donald Trump's advocation of a more isolationist foreign policy for the U.S. is striking a chord with millions of Americans.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 29, 2016
Those 'free rider' allies are finally paying up
There are signs that U.S. allies in Asia, Europe and the Middle East are starting to understand that the bill for the Pax Americana has come due.
EDITORIALS
Mar 29, 2016
Security legislation takes effect
Japan's postwar defense posture underwent a major change this week as new security legislation took effect, but how the government plans to implement the laws remains unclear.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji