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SDF

Self-Defense Force personnel taking part in the earthquake-relief efforts help residents in an isolated village in Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 9, 2024
The U.S. role in Japan's domestic disaster relief
The U.S. pledge for support offers another example of how the U.S.-Japan alliance contributes to Japan's domestic disaster relief.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade takes part in a marine landing drill on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 29, 2023
Kishida’s military build-up plans face bumpy road ahead
One year on, questions remain as to whether the embattled leader, whose support rate recently dipped to new lows, can follow through on his pledges.
Prime minister Fumio Kishida reviews Japan Self-Defense Forces troops at Camp Asaka in Tokyo in November 2021.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 27, 2023
Reviewing Japan's security moves in 2023
With Japan's economic malaise and scandals eroding political capital in Tokyo, 2024 may yield an extended waiting period for new security measures.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force take part in a joint military drill in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, in January.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2023
Japanese major general demoted over power harassment
The punishment was the second heaviest available after dismissal and the first two-rank demotion at the GSDF.
Plaintiffs for a lawsuit against the construction of a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison site for Ospreys walk to the Saga District Court in Saga on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 20, 2023
Saga residents sue to halt construction of base for GSDF Ospreys
Plaintiffs in the suit filed with the Saga District Court dispute ownership of the land designated for the garrison and have raised safety concerns.
A radar facility set up for coastal surveillance by the Ground Self-Defense Force's Yonaguni base on Yonaguni island in Okinawa Prefecture.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Dec 14, 2023
Acquiring counterstrike capabilities is no simple matter for Japan
Under its defense and security strategies, deterrence by denial and deterrence by punishment are the essence of Japan’s deterrence capabilities.
Rina Gonoi, ex-member of the Ground Self-Defense Force, speaks during a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2023
Ex-SDF member says high-profile sex assault case was not 'a waste'
The case brought the culture of harassment in Japan's armed forces to public attention after Rina Gonoi made the rare move of reporting the offenses.
Former Self-Defense Forces member Rina Gonoi arrives Tuesday at the Fukushima District Court, which found three ex-soldiers guilty of sexually assaulting her.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 12, 2023
Guilty verdicts in SDF sexual assault case
Rina Gonoi, 24, took to YouTube last year to share her account after an internal military probe was dropped for lack of evidence.
Rina Gonoi, a former member of the Self-Defense Forces, who has accused colleagues of sexually assaulting her during her time in the military, speaks in Yokohama on Friday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 11, 2023
Former Japanese soldier fights for justice in landmark sexual assault case
A former Self-Defence Forces member's yearslong fight for justice against the men she has accused of sexually assaulting her will reach a climax on Tuesday when a court delivers a verdict in a trial that has drawn international attention.
The Principals’ Board for the Combined Space Operations initiative gather in Ottawa in February 2020 for its annual meeting to formally recognize the addition of France and Germany to the CSpO.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2023
Japan to attend meeting of multilateral space security initiative
Current member countries are slated to discuss Japan's bid to become an official CSpO member, among other topics.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force search for the crashed U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey from the coast of Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 3, 2023
Fears grow that Osprey crash may put dent in Japan-U.S. alliance
Experts say the United States should respond to Japan's demand for better operations at its military bases in the Asian country.
A Self-Defense Forces officer talks to participants in an information session at Camp Nerima in Tokyo on Aug. 7. The SDF raised the maximum age for new recruits to 32 from 26 in 2018 but has still struggled to attract them.
WORLD
Nov 23, 2023
Asia’s aging soldiers force U.S. allies to widen recruitment drive
In some branches of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, more positions are now being opened up to retirees.
Former Self-Defense Forces member Rina Gonoi
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2023
Ex-SDF member Rina Gonoi makes BBC's 100 Women list
The broadcaster commended Gonoi for speaking out about her experience of sexual abuse and launching "a public campaign calling for accountability."
A Ground Self-Defense Force marine takes part in a landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises on the island of Tokunoshima, in Kagoshima Prefecture, on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 19, 2023
Japanese marines drill on island seen as vulnerable to China
The joint exercises were meant to show the readiness of ground, sea and air forces to defend Japan's territory and infrastructure.
This undated picture released Wednesday shows the first ground combustion test of a high-power solid-fuel engine for a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, at an undisclosed location in North Korea.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 15, 2023
North Korea eyes surprise attack ability with missile engine test
The new engines for the intermediate-range ballistic missiles would give Pyongyang another means of targeting Japan.
Japan's Self-Defense Force on Sunday conducted a tsunami evacuation drill in Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island, in Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2023
Japanese island holds disaster drill in shadow of Taiwan threat
Yonaguni is only 110 km from Taiwan. In August last year, China fired missiles into nearby waters in response to a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech as Defense Minister Minoru Kihara looks on at the Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 11, 2023
Kishida wary of joint Chinese-Russian bomber flights near Japan
In the latest occurrence in June, four Chinese and Russian bombers jointly flew above waters near Japan, prompting the ASDF to scramble fighter jets.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and British counterpart Grant Shapps review an honor guard ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 8, 2023
Japan and Britain to ramp up security cooperation
Following talks held in Tokyo, the nations' ministers said in a joint statement that they aim to boost military coordination and interoperability.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Takanami destroyers leads the MSDF fleet during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the force in Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, in November last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 7, 2023
Japan ruling parties eye talks on allowing anti-air missile exports
The export of destroyers and patrol airplanes, with the aim of better securing sea lanes important for Japan, is also expected to be discussed.
The Self-Defense Forces face numerous obstacles in meeting their recruitment targets: Demographics, private-sector competition and image and morale issues.
EDITORIALS
Nov 3, 2023
The SDF has a big problem: Filling its ranks
The Japanese government needs to take steps to address SDF recruitment challenges that put the nation's security at risk.

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces