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SDF

JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2016
Japan's top admiral urges resumption of China port calls to ease tensions
The head of the Maritime Self-Defense Force on Monday repeated criticism of China's pursuit of territorial claims but called for a resumption of port and personnel visits, which have been suspended for several years amid rising tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 18, 2016
Chinese state media blasts Japan over South China Sea 'patrols,' but experts see no change in policy
Chinese state media outlets have responded to news of potential joint U.S.-Japan operations in the disputed South China Sea with a spate of fiery editorials, but experts say Japan's announcement of increased engagement in the waters breaks little new ground.
JAPAN
Aug 24, 2016
SDF get green light to train for new peacekeeping roles
The Self-Defense Forces are given the green light to train for new duties added under security legislation introduced last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 23, 2016
Risking political suicide, LDP veteran Funada challenges Abe over Constitution
Like other Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers, Hajime Funada is a strong proponent of amending the postwar Constitution, but not the way Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants.
JAPAN
Aug 15, 2016
Chinese newspaper slams Japan over reported Miyako missile plan
Chinese state-run media on Monday slammed a reported plan by Tokyo to develop a new land-to-sea missile and place it on remote southern islands, saying the move would make Japanese military sites there a "target" for Chinese forces.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 22, 2016
Patriot anti-missile unit is relocated from Okinawa to South Korea
A Patriot rocket interceptor unit based in Okinawa has arrived in South Korea for use in a military drill, Japanese and Korean news agencies said Friday. It is the first time a Japan-based anti-missile unit has been sent to South Korea.
JAPAN
Jul 12, 2016
Ahead of ruling, Japan to closely monitor Chinese activity in East China Sea: defense minister
The Self-Defense Forces will closely monitor Chinese activity in the neighboring East China Sea after an international court rules on Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea, the defense minister said Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 11, 2016
SDF is ordered to evacuate Japanese nationals from South Sudan
Amid fighting in South Sudan's capital, the Air Self-Defense Force is sent in to evacuate Japanese civilians there.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2016
Tokyo denies Beijing's claim that Japanese jets locked targeting radar on fighters over East China Sea
China's Defense Ministry has accused Japanese jets of locking their weapons-targeting radar on its fighters over the East China Sea, an allegation denied Tuesday by a high-ranking Japanese official.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jun 23, 2016
Abe's failed submarine bid
It was a major failure by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when Australia decided to buy its new submarines from France.
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2016
Japan, U.S., India to hold major naval drill off Okinawa starting Friday
Japan, India and the United States are set to hold a major trilateral naval drill starting Friday in the waters off the east coast of Okinawa Prefecture, the Maritime Self-Defense Forces said in a press release Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 23, 2016
U.S. lifting of Vietnam arms ban 'good news' for Japan: expert
U.S. President Barack Obama announced Monday the lifting of a decades-old ban on the sale of weapons to Vietnam — a move that could have positive effects for Tokyo's already growing security ties with Hanoi.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 2, 2016
Wary of China's Indian Ocean activities, U.S., India discuss anti-submarine warfare
India and the United States are in talks to help each other track submarines in the Indian Ocean, military officials say, a move that could further tighten defense ties between New Delhi and Washington as China steps up its undersea activities.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2016
Bidders step up lobbying for Australian sub tender as early election speeds up announcement
Japan's advanced attack Soryu submarine carried out drills with Australia's navy Tuesday as a German company launched a campaign to advertise its expertise — part of a heated race for a 50 billion Australian dollar contract to build the country's next submarine fleet.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2016
First Japanese sub since WWII enters Sydney Harbor for naval exercise
A Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine arrived in Sydney Friday — the first time a Japanese sub has entered the harbor since World War II — to participate in bilateral exercises with its former foe.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 13, 2016
Japan's own 'pivot' to Southeast Asia seen bearing fruit ahead of G-7 summit, China isles arbitration
Tokyo's efforts to lay the foundation for a more proactive approach to countering Beijing's maritime assertiveness begin to pay off.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 3, 2016
Japanese submarine, destroyers arrive in Philippines for port call near disputed South China Sea waters
A Maritime Self-Defense Force flotilla of three vessels arrives in the Philippines on a goodwill visit — the first to include a Japanese submarine in 15 years — amid China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 31, 2016
China says Japan base shows its hypocrisy on South China Sea
China's Defense Ministry accused Japan on Thursday of hypocrisy by opening a new base close to Taiwan and a group of islands disputed between Japan and China in the East China Sea at the same time as criticizing Beijing's actions in the South China Sea.
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2016
GSDF brings Yonaguni radar station online to keep closer eye on China
In a move expected to raise tensions further with Beijing, Tokyo brings a new radar station online right next to Taiwan.
EDITORIALS
Feb 26, 2016
Don't weaken civilian control of SDF
The Abe administration must resist efforts by uniformed officers to gain even more power in setting SDF plans.

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