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September 02, 2025
 

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MSDF

Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 7, 2023
New warship to help Japan tackle manpower issues amid growing security threats
The MSDF launched a new frigate Tuesday that is not only cheaper to build than the larger, general-purpose destroyers, it can also be operated with half as many crew members.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2023
MSDF chief apologizes for destroyer navigation incident
The MSDF will investigate whether there were human errors in operations, including recognizing shallow water and setting the destroyer's route.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2023
MSDF destroyer unable to navigate after apparently hitting rock
Live video broadcast by NHK showed the destroyer as crew members at the back of the vessel apparently attempted to sop up oil that had leaked from the ship.
JAPAN
Dec 14, 2022
Japan MSDF captain demoted for power harassment
The ministry also demoted one of the captain's superiors by one rank, citing negligence in investigating the charges.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 6, 2022
Japan shows off defense diplomacy skills with international fleet review
Around 40 warships from 13 countries came together to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2022
MSDF proposed admiral-level conference to China in 2002
The MSDF hoped to set up such a channel as China was expected to expand its navy significantly, but the proposal was reportedly rejected by China's top leadership.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2022
Defense Ministry considering adopting Starlink communications system for SDF
The ministry aims to resolve the issue of manpower shortages in the MSDF by enabling crew members to communicate with their families, thus reducing their stress while on voyages.
JAPAN
Jul 14, 2022
Japan's MSDF deploys new frigates with labor-saving features
Officials hope that the Mogami-class vessels will contribute to strengthening Japan's defense capacity, while at the same time promoting work-style reform.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 16, 2021
Tokyo and Canberra quietly reach a major security milestone
Japan and Australia reached a major milestone in their security relationship when, for the first time ever, the SDF executed an 'asset protection' mission with a non-U.S. military unit.
Japan Times
EDITORIALS
Sep 10, 2021
Europe’s military presence highlights Asia’s importance
European military forces have an expanding presence in Asia, a recognition of the ever-larger role the Indo-Pacific has assumed in their governments' strategic calculations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 18, 2021
The changing battlefield and winning future conflicts
The powerful supercarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest warship ever built by Britain, with its crew of 2,500, has now arrived in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean where it is holding joint drills and maneuvers with units of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2020
Bringing the MSDF to Ishigaki Island amid China’s ramped-up territorial ambitions
Ishigaki Island voters have a keen awareness of national security needs. This is especially true in recent years as China's territorial ambitions toward the Senkaku Islands
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Dec 14, 2020
Japan set to approve new ships and missiles but defer legal questions
Two new destroyers will fill the gap left by a canceled deployment of Aegis Ashore, while improved missiles will offer the ability to strike from beyond the range of enemies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2020
MSDF joins exercises with U.S. and Australia on doorstep of South China Sea
The move, the latest show of naval might in the waters, was sure to anger China.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 14, 2020
MSDF to join RIMPAC naval drills off Hawaii in August
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force will participate in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, multinational naval exercises to be held off Hawaii between Aug. 17 and 31, Defense Minister Taro Kono said Tuesday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY
Jun 3, 2020
Troubling trends demand that Japan take action at sea
The Maritime Self-Defense Force will likely be relegated to second place permanently within this decade if China's naval construction program maintains its current pace.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 22, 2020
Abe pushes constitutional reform at SDF graduation ceremony
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday again expressed his eagerness to add a clause on the existence of the Self-Defense Forces to the Constitution.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2020
Opposition parties lay into Abe over scandals and Mideast dispatch
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano used parliamentary debates to go after Prime Minister Abe on allegations of cronyism over an annual taxpayer-funded cherry blossom viewing party.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 17, 2020
Opposition grills LDP on risks facing Japan's SDF mission to Mideast
Any overseas SDF mission is politically sensitive, but U.S.-Iran tensions are so high that debate on the constitutional hazards has ensued even before the Diet has opened.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 9, 2020
Japan opposition bloc to push for halt to Mideast mission amid Iran-U.S. tensions
Major opposition parties have agreed to press the government to cancel its plan to dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Force units to the Middle East following the Iranian missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq on Wednesday.
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
Woman dies after possible knife attack in Setagaya
Police investigate the scene where a woman was found bleeding on a street in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on Monday.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
More sweltering days forecast for September after hottest summer on record
By the end of August, 8,341 people had been transported by ambulance for heatstroke in Tokyo alone.
How Tokyo's Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
A polar bear at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Thursday. The Arctic animals are among the most vulnerable species to Japan's scorching summer heat and zookeepers have to take a number of precautions in order to keep them safe.
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
How Tokyo's Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
A polar bear at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Thursday. The Arctic animals are among the most vulnerable species to Japan's scorching summer heat and zookeepers have to take a number of precautions in order to keep them safe.
Japan is warming up to tattoos — just not permanent ones
Tattoos have a complex history in Japan, but new types of temporary ink are letting locals curious about body art experiment without the commitment.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
Japan looks to build drone ‘shield’ in record defense budget request
A group of Ground Self-Defense Force service members discuss drone operations and capabilities at a joint static display during the Orient Shield 24 opening ceremony at the Yausubetsu Training Area in Hokkaido in July last year.

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