Tag - gsdf

 
 

GSDF

Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps conduct a joint military drill on Irisuna Island in Okinawa Prefecture in November 2023.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2025
U.S. deploys cutting-edge missile system in Okinawa
Mounted on an unmanned vehicle, the remote-control missile system can swiftly be positioned along the coastline to attack enemy ships.
Two Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members killed during a training exercise in Oita Prefecture on Sunday died from electrocution caused by lightning, the GSDF confirmed Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 21, 2025
GSDF confirms two sergeants who died during drills were killed by lightning
According to the Oita Meteorological Office, a lightning warning was in effect throughout the prefecture from early morning to night on the day they died.
Two Ground Self-Defense Force members have died during a training exercise at the Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture, according to the GSDF.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 19, 2025
Two GSDF sergeants die during training exercise in Oita Prefecture
After failing to respond to a radio call, the two were found in the maneuver area shortly after midnight early on Monday.
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft flies over the island of Okinawa in March 2018.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 14, 2025
Precautionary Osprey landings signal safety, not alarm
Two precautionary V-22 Osprey landings in northern Honshu demonstrated the aircraft’s safety and its role in enhancing Japan’s rapid-deployment and island-defense capabilities.
An Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft operated by the Ground Self-Defense Force.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 13, 2025
GSDF completes relocation of Ospreys from Chiba Prefecture to Camp Saga
The Ospreys will be operated to defend remote islands, such as the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan, with a Taiwan contingency in mind.
A V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft arrives at the Ground Self-Defense Force's new camp in the city of Saga on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2025
GSDF begins Osprey deployment to new camp in southwestern Japan
The deployment of the tilt-rotor aircraft from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture to the new camp in Saga is scheduled to be completed by mid-August.
A single Type-88 missile is tested off the coast at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Shizunai anti-aircraft firing range in Shinhidaka, Hokkaido, on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2025
Japan conducts first domestic surface-to-ship missile test
Japan called its first surface-to-ship missile test within its territory necessary training given the current "severe security environment."
At the launch ceremony on Sunday of the Self-Defense Forces Maritime Transport Group in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani presents the unit's group flag.
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2025
Inaugural ceremony held for Japan SDF's Maritime Transport Group
The Maritime Transport Group was launched on March 24 as a unit jointly run by the Ground, Maritime and Air Self Defense Forces under the direct oversight of the defense minister.
Self-Defense Forces officers engage in the decontamination work of a train at Tsukiji Station on March 20, 1995, the day of a sarin nerve gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult.
JAPAN
Mar 20, 2025
1995 Aum Shinrikyo sarin gas attack seen as a turning point for SDF
The sarin gas attack boosted the Ground Self-Defense Force's chemical weapons operations.
Female crew members chat in the women-only rest area aboard the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Shiranui in November 2022.
JAPAN
Mar 4, 2025
Women in SDF see their roles expand — but challenges remain
Issues such as harassment prevention and a lack of promotion to senior positions remain significant hurdles for women wanting to join.
A rendering of a next-generation, high-speed landing craft for the Self-Defense Forces to be built by Japan Marine United and British-based maritime design and consultancy firm BMT
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2025
In rare move, Japan to jointly develop and design SDF landing craft with U.K.
Japan Marine United and Britain's BMT have secured a multimillion-dollar contract to build the next-generation, high-speed vessels for the SDF.
An Air Self-Defense Force airman sets up a drone during a bilateral live fire exercise at Draughon Range, near Misawa Air Base, in Aomori Prefecture in July 2023.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jan 5, 2025
Taking a page from Ukraine war, SDF carves out growing role for drones
Whether for use in the air, on land or at sea, the SDF is gradually integrating these increasingly capable and often autonomous systems into their units.
The U.S. Air Force's CV-22 Osprey displayed during Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on May 18
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2024
U.S. and Japanese Ospreys grounded this month after precautionary landing
While the details about the precautionary landing are not known, the incident has raised concerns over the vulnerability in Osprey components.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force disembark from a V-22 Osprey aircraft during the annual live-fire exercise at East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2024
Japan GSDF grounds Osprey fleet after U.S. suspension
The Ground Self-Defense Force said it will give top priority to ensuring safety until further details are shared.
Troops from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises in Kagoshima Prefecture in November of last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024
Elite GSDF troops to regularly deploy for drills in Australia
Tokyo will begin the deployments of the GSDF’s elite Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to the city of Darwin starting next year.
Ground Self-Defense Force vehicles during training in Yokohama on Oct. 17
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2024
Human error behind Osprey accident on remote Japan island: GSDF
During Japan-U.S. joint exercises on Oct. 27, the Osprey keeled over when taking off from a GSDF camp in Yonaguni, and the left wing touched the ground and was damaged.
A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft
JAPAN
Oct 28, 2024
GSDF suspends Osprey flights over accident during training
All GSDF Ospreys will remain grounded until the cause of the incident is identified and countermeasures are taken thoroughly.
Minamitorishima
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2024
Ground Self-Defense Force eyes missile training on remote Tokyo island
The GSDF is holding talks with local communities in hopes of starting missile training on Minamitorishima in 2026.
A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey stationed at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo in May
JAPAN
Jun 26, 2024
10 SDF and U.S. Ospreys to take part in drills in Japan after accident
Around eight Marine Corps and two GSDF Ospreys are scheduled to take part in the Resolute Dragon 24 exercise.
Ground Self-Defense Force personnel participate in a live-fire exercise at the GSDF's training grounds in the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Sunday.
JAPAN
May 31, 2024
GSDF member killed during training after grenade explodes
A committee was set up to investigate the accident, with all live-fire exercises suspended until safety checks are completed.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past