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July 05, 2025
 

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PLA

A map released Monday shows the locations of the Joint Sword-2024B military drills being conducted by China around Taiwan. China deployed planes and ships to encircle the island in drills Beijing said were aimed at sending a "stern warning" to "separatist" forces on the self-ruled island.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 14, 2024
China kicks off fresh round of large-scale war games around Taiwan
The exercises, code-named Joint Sword-2024B, are intended to 'test the joint operations capabilities of the theater command's troops.'
Visitors hold their mobile phones in front of exhibits showing the Chinese Navy's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during an exhibition on China's achievements marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Beijing Exhibition Center, in September 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 13, 2024
Taiwan spots Chinese carrier as video says military 'prepared for battle'
The move comes amid concerns in Taipei about the possibility of a new round of Chinese war games following a national day speech by Taiwan's president.
Former Prime Minister Taro Aso speaks during the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei in August 2023.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 9, 2024
Former PM Taro Aso calls Taiwan a ‘country' — much to China's chagrin
Tuesday’s remarks were not the first time Aso has sounded off about Taiwan and how a conflict over the island would represent an emergency for Japan.
Gen Nakatani (center), who was named defense minister last week, attends an extraordinary session of the Lower House at parliament in Tokyo on Oct. 1.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 9, 2024
U.S. and Japan defense chiefs agree to beef up Nansei Islands presence
Two controversial proposals put by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba — an Asian version of NATO or revising the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement — were not discussed.
Chinese destroyer Jiaozuo is moored in the Neva River ahead of the Navy Day in central Saint Petersburg, Russia, on July 26.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 8, 2024
Russian and Chinese ships conduct joint drills in Pacific, news agencies report
A number of training sessions and combat training exercises were planned during the patrol missions, including organizing anti-submarine defense and rescue at sea.
A Russian submarine arrives at the port of Dagang, in Qingdao, Shandong province, China, in April 2019 for a joint Chinese-Russian naval exercise.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 2, 2024
The China-Russia relationship once derided, now looks to endure
Both China and Russia are concerned about U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific and are acting to counterbalance them.
A U.S. Marine participates in counterdrone training in June 2021.
WORLD
Oct 1, 2024
Pentagon’s Replicator 2 to focus on countering threat from small drones
U.S. military facilities around the globe, including those in Japan and South Korea, are expected to benefit from the initiative.
Taiwanese soldiers exit an amphibious assault vehicle to another position during a landing drill as part of the Han Kuang military exercise in Pingtung, Taiwan, in July 2022. Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. is bound by law to sell arms to Taiwan for its self-defense.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 30, 2024
U.S. announces $567 million military aid package for Taiwan
The order means the U.S. will directly ship its own weapon stocks to Taiwan, a move it has employed often to support Ukraine’s war effort.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands at a meeting in New York on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 28, 2024
After meeting, Blinken says Beijing's talk of Ukraine peace 'doesn't add up'
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored strong U.S. concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base in talks Friday.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami leaves Sasebo Naval Base in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture, in April 2012.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 28, 2024
Japan and U.S. partners hold dueling military drills with China in South China Sea
The first MSDF warship to transit the Taiwan Strait joined naval and air forces from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the U.S. for the exercises.
A series of satellite images from Planet Labs appears to show cranes at the Wuchang shipyard in Wuhan, China, on June 15.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 27, 2024
China's newest nuclear-powered submarine sank this year, U.S. says
It was not clear if the sub was carrying nuclear fuel, but the accident has dealt a major blow to Beijing as it seeks to showcase its growing military prowess.
A Japanese Self-Defense Force jet was forced to fire flares recently as a warning to Russian aircraft that violated the country's airspace, highlighting how both China and Russia tried to test Japan’s leadership during a period of political transition.
EDITORIALS
Sep 27, 2024
China tests Japan. Are its new leaders ready?
Most of China's moves require considerable planning. That means that the signals they sent were anticipated and approved by political decision-makers.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami arrives in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean during a scheduled port visit in July. The Sazanami became the first Japanese warship to sail through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 26, 2024
Japan MSDF warship sails through Taiwan Strait for first time
The transit on Wednesday, which follows a spate of Chinese military moves near Japan, drew a strongly worded warning from Beijing.
Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu speaks to a Ground Self-Defense Force soldier at the town hall on Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture last November.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 26, 2024
Deterring Taiwan conflict is top priority for Japan's ‘front-line’ mayor
The mayor believes the U.S. and Japan must do away with "strategic ambiguity" over Taiwan if they intend to keep China in check.
Visitors stand near a transport helicopter during a public viewing by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy to mark its upcoming 75th founding anniversary, at the port in Qingdao, China, on April 20.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 25, 2024
Chinese navy helicopter reportedly shadowed Philippines aircraft
It is the latest in the series of air and sea encounters between China and the Philippines, which have sparred over contested areas of the South China Sea.
Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Beijing's Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Oct. 1, 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 25, 2024
China fires long-range missile into Pacific Ocean in rare test
Tokyo said it had not received advance notification from the Chinese side of the launch, which Beijing said was part of annual military training.
A Maritime Self-Defense Force P-1 patrol plane fires off flares during a demonstration at an international fleet review ceremony in November 2022. The firing of flares is intended to confuse heat-seeking missiles but they are also commonly deployed to warn away other aircraft.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 24, 2024
Moscow and Beijing unlikely to stop testing Tokyo's limits
Tokyo’s unprecedented decision to fire flares as a warning after a Russian military plane entered Japanese airspace may not be enough to prevent a recurrence.
A Russian IL-38 patrol aircraft is seen in this image taken by the Air Self-Defense Force on Monday.
JAPAN
Sep 23, 2024
Japan fighters fire flares after Russian military plane enters airspace
A Russian IL-38 patrol aircraft violated Japanese airspace off Hokkaido’s Rebun Island three times, with the ASDF firing flares for the first time in response.
A screengrab from footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry shows ships from the country's Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan earlier this month.
WORLD
Sep 21, 2024
Russia and China start naval exercises in Sea of Japan, agencies report
Russia and China started naval exercises in the Sea of Japan on Saturday, Russian news agencies cited Russia's Pacific Fleet as saying.
Warships and fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy take part in a military display in the South China Sea in April 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Sep 21, 2024
U.S. leans on shipbuilding prowess of allies to compete with China
America’s shipbuilding industry has virtually collapsed over the last generation, raising concerns amid its rivalry with China.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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