On first China visit by Japan defense chief in 10 years, ministers agree to boost mutual trust
Defense Minister Taro Kono and his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Wei Fengzhe, agreed to work to boost mutual trust and strengthen communication amid growing Japanese concerns over Beijing's increasing military assertiveness. Kono made clear that there are still various issues between Japan and China, including the ...
The Japanese government has suggested to China that the countries should begin holding meetings between their foreign and defense ministers in order to deepen mutual understanding on security issues, diplomatic sources said Tuesday. Beijing has yet to accept or decline the suggestion, the sources said, ...
Defense Ministry to develop large underwater drone to monitor remote islands, government sources say
The program will be included in Japan’s five-year security plan that takes effect next April.
Japanese helicopter carrier Kaga to embark on two-month tour of South China Sea and Indian Ocean
Japan will send a large helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean for a second straight year as it looks to bolster its presence in the strategic maritime region with annual tours, two Japanese officials said. "This is part of Japan's efforts ...
The central government has communicated its concerns to Beijing over an order to scrap Tokyo-based retailer Muji's catalogs that contained maps that did not show the Senkaku Islands, the top government spokesman said Wednesday. "There is no territorial dispute to be settled over the Senkaku ...
Mattis clarifies U.S. defense pledge, stays mum on host-nation support
Japan breathes a sigh of relief after visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis reaffirms America’s commitment to the bilateral security treaty and keeps quiet about host-nation support.
Central Tokyo eyed for permanent exhibit on Japanese territorial issues
The government is considering setting up an exhibit in central Tokyo from next year to raise awareness of Japan's stance on territorial issues with South Korea, China and Russia, a government source said Sunday. The territories in question are a group of South Korean-controlled islets ...
China's No. 4 man silent on Xi-Abe summit in September: Kawamura
After meeting China’s No. 4 leader, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the chances of a bilateral summit at next month’s Group of 20 summit are unclear.
Japan protests as 13 Chinese government ships are spotted around Senkaku Islands
Japan lodged two protests Sunday as 13 Chinese government vessels were spotted in waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The islets, also claimed by China, are known as the Diaoyus. The number of vessels, located in a contiguous zone just outside ...
Chinese Senkaku swarm tactic spells trouble for Japan
China's use of its 'maritime militia' - an armada of fishing boats - near the disputed Senkaku Islands could spell trouble for Tokyo as Beijing ramps up its assertiveness in the East China Sea.
Chinese military reportedly building facilities on islands near Senkakus
Several Chinese sources say China's military is building large-scale facilities in the Nanji Islands, which are closer to the Senkaku Islands than Okinawa is.
