National Mar 8, 2022
by Tim Kelly and Elaine Lies
Joining a U.S.-led import embargo on Russian oil would hit Japan hard, but nuclear energy could help ease any blow, former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said.
National Jul 31, 2020
LDP policymakers say Japan should have missile base-striking ability
The team of policymakers came up with the proposal as part of ways to strengthen the country's deterrence against North Korean missile threats.
National Jul 30, 2020
As Japan mulls missile defense, Raytheon lobbies for Lockheed’s radar deal
by Tim Kelly and Yoshifumi Takemoto
Under Abe, the nation has strengthened its military to deter threats from neighbors, including North Korea and China.
National Jun 30, 2020
The team will discuss alternatives to the Aegis Ashore plan, including enemy base strike capability, and draw up a proposal by the end of July.
National / Politics Sep 12, 2019
South Korea and Japan need to ease up on their spat, ex-defense chief Itsunori Onodera says
by Isabel Reynolds and Emi Nobuhiro
Japan and South Korea need time to cool down from a feud hurting security ties, former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said of the dispute that the Trump administration warns could damage its regional alliance network. Onodera, who has served two stints as defense minister under ...
National / Politics Sep 4, 2018
Fishermen to seek ¥93 million in damages over February dumping of fuel tanks by U.S. fighter jet
Fishermen in northeastern Japan are set to seek about ¥93 million in damages over the February dumping of fuel tanks by a U.S. fighter jet, which forced them to halt fishing, a local Defense Ministry bureau said Monday. More than 180 members of a fisheries ...
National / Politics Aug 21, 2018
Japan and India agree to begin talks on defense sharing pact to counter China
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman agreed Monday to start talks on a bilateral acquisition and cross-servicing agreement. The two nations will seek to counter China's growing influence in South Asia through an agreement known as an ACSA, which allows them ...
National / Politics Aug 12, 2018
Japanese defense chief may visit the Netherlands and Italy next month
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera is considering visiting the Netherlands and Italy in early September, a senior Defense Ministry official said Saturday. Onodera hopes to hold talks with his counterparts in the two countries to seek their support for efforts to realize North Korea's abandonment of ...
National / Politics Aug 1, 2018
Japan and Russia agreed Tuesday to join forces to realize the denuclearization of North Korea and step up security cooperation, as the two sides remained at odds over Tokyo's planned introduction of new missile defense systems. Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera ...
National / Politics Jul 30, 2018
Japan’s deployment of U.S.-developed Aegis Ashore missile defense system could take six years
The U.S. says deploying the first of two new land-based missile defense batteries to protect against North Korean attacks is expected to take a year longer than Japan wants.
National Jul 28, 2018
Another window falls from U.S. chopper in Kanagawa; no one injured
A window fell off a U.S. chopper Friday at the U.S. naval air base in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, but no one was injured, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said. The incident at U.S. Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, follows a similar one in Okinawa in December, when ...