Defense chief opposed 'deceiving' people with constitutional 'interpretation techniques'
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani voiced opposition just two years ago to reinterpreting the Constitution in order to end Japan's ban on helping an allied nation defend itself, contradicting the Abe administration's position.
Japan, U.S. reiterate concern over Beijing's land reclamation in South China Sea
Japan and the United States have reaffirmed their opposition to China's rapid land reclamation work around the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Tokyo and Washington oppose any attempt to change the territorial status quo by force, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters ...
Japan defense chief on land reclamation: China, others must behave responsibly on South China Sea
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani warned on Saturday that land reclamation projects in the South China Sea risked plunging the region into disorder and urged nations, including China, to behave responsibly. "If we leave any unlawful situation unattended, order will soon turn to disorder, and peace ...
Defense chief draws flak for downplaying new risks posed by security bills
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has triggered a backlash from opposition parties by saying the government's security bills won't end up putting Self-Defense Forces personnel at greater risk. While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stopped short of clarifying his view on the matter ahead of Diet ...
Nakatani meets with Okinawa governor to discuss Futenma relocation plan
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Saturday met with Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga over a controversial plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within Okinawa Prefecture. Their meeting, at the prefectural government offices in Naha, was the first since Onaga was elected governor last ...
Australia to get classified Japanese data on stealthy submarines ahead of bid, sources say
Japan will agree this month to give Australia classified submarine data, an unprecedented step signaling Tokyo's intent to join competitive bidding to sell Canberra a fleet of stealth subs, said two Japanese officials familiar with the plan. The "competitive assessment" will see Germany's ThyssenKrupp and ...
Cabinet moves to put SDF officers, civilians on equal footing
The Cabinet approves historic proposals to weaken civilian control over the Self-Defense Forces by giving military officers equal footing with civil servants in planning SDF operations.
Japan, Philippine defense chiefs agree to cooperate on maritime security
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin agreed Thursday to work closely on maritime security issues to address China's growing assertiveness. The defense chiefs also signed a note on defense cooperation and exchanges, while criticizing militants believed to belong to the Islamic State ...
Defense chief Gen Nakatani visits South Sudan for talks, SDF inspection
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani visited the South Sudan capital Juba on Monday to hold talks with his counterpart, Kuol Manyang Juuk, and to inspect Self-Defense Forces personnel taking part in a U.N. peacekeeping operation. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to raise the SDF's overseas ...
China bristles at Nakatani's criticism over Senkaku incidents
China criticized new Defense Minister Gen Nakatani for the first time on Monday, saying it was "firmly opposed" to his comments that Beijing has repeatedly engaged in "dangerous actions" around the Senkaku Islands. Although both countries reached an agreement late last year to reset ties, ...
Futenma plan 'quickest solution' to Ginowan safety threat, new defense chief says
New defense chief Gen Nakatani repeated Friday that the purpose of moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa is to get it out of crowded Ginowan, stressing that keeping it in the prefecture will make sure it remains a deterrent in the ...
New Abe Cabinet gets to work, promises faster security changes
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's tweaked Cabinet starts working on economic props and thorny defense legislation as it looks to accelerate his nationalist agenda.
