Tag - defense

 
 

DEFENSE

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 19, 2015
Policy hurdles remain despite passage of new security laws
Ignoring protests from furious voters and opposition lawmakers, the ruling camp led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has enacted two divisive security laws, marking a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifism.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 19, 2015
Japan's defense shift is hailed, but weaknesses will remain: experts
Passage of security bills satisfies the U.S. desire for Japan to be more of a regional military player, will strengthen defense cooperation with other countries.
EDITORIALS
Sep 18, 2015
Security policy set the wrong way
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has rammed his security legislation through the Diet, public opposition be damned.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2015
Thousands gather outside Diet in heavy rain for last chance to protest security bills
Thursday's heavy rain failed to douse the rage of thousands of demonstrators who gathered in front of the Diet building in Tokyo to protest the controversial security legislation that is expected to pass by week's end.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2015
Foes stand their ground as ruling bloc presses hard for vote on contentious security bills
The ruling bloc tried to clear a key hurdle to enact its contentious security legislation at the Upper House on Wednesday night, but the move was met with vehement protests from opposition lawmakers and thousands of angry demonstrators who gathered in a rally around the Diet building.
EDITORIALS
Sep 16, 2015
Security questions go unanswered
Many of the questions and doubts about the legislation that remained from the Lower House deliberations were also never answered in the Upper House.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 16, 2015
China won't win friends by flexing its muscles
While China has trumpeted its desire for peace, its Sept. 3 display of military prowess is bound to spur concerns in other capitals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 16, 2015
Japan's defense reform tarnished by low public support, unconvincing sales pitch
The ruling bloc's effort to pass a pair of controversial security bills has failed in an important respect: to win public support.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2015
Protesters rally as contentious security bills near passage
Crowds of protesters rallied on Wednesday as the Diet moved closer to passing bills for a defense policy change that could allow troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War II, despite opposition by many ordinary voters.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2015
Abe pledges more ships to Vietnam's top leader to offset China
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Vietnamese supreme leader Nguyen Phu Trong have agreed that Japan will provide more used vessels to shore up Vietnam's maritime law enforcement capabilities to counter China's increasing power in the South China Sea.
EDITORIALS
Sep 10, 2015
Dubious peacekeeping law revision
Proposed revisions to the United Nations peacekeeping law contained in the security bills now in the Diet contain serious ramifications for the Self-Defense Forces.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 8, 2015
Beijing sending mixed signals with its military
There are risks associated with a U.S. containment policy aimed at China. But the risks associated with non-containment are greater.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 4, 2015
Opposition leaders pledge last-ditch efforts to block security bills
The leaders of six opposition parties Friday agreed to form a united front in trying to prevent the ruling camp bulldozing two contentious security bills into law.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 4, 2015
The veiled cause of Abe's legislative predicament
The national debate over the security bills as been limited to constitutional issues but it should also focus on Japan's significantly enhanced responsibilities in the U.S. defense guidelines.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 1, 2015
Japan's poor submarine pitch deters Australian industry
The Japanese consortium eyeing a contract to build submarines for Australia irked local suppliers by failing to share key information.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 1, 2015
Defense budget hike sought to fortify island chain facing China
The Defense Ministry is seeking a fourth-straight annual budget hike to help fortify Japan's far-flung island chain in the East China Sea, close to ocean territory claimed by Beijing.

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A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami