Ex-ASDF colonel arrested for allegedly leaking top secret data on U.S. early warning plane in 2013
A former Air Self-Defense Force officer was arrested Friday on suspicion of leaking top secret information seven years ago about a U.S.-made early warning plane. So Kanno, a 58-year-old former colonel who left the ASDF in 2017, is alleged to have used a personal computer ...
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.
Two Air Self-Defense Force planes arrived at an air base on the outskirts of Sydney on Thursday to assist in fighting unprecedented and deadly bush fires across the country. ASDF Col. Masashi Ota, who is leading the mission, told reporters upon arrival that he is ...
Saudi crown prince 'fully supports' Japan MSDF mission in Middle East
Shinzo Abe and Mohammed bin Salman confirm that Japan and Saudi Arabia will work together for stability in the Middle East and safe navigation in the region.
Two SDF planes embark on pioneer intelligence-gathering mission in Middle East
Two P-3C Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol planes leave Okinawa for the Middle East in what will be the SDF’s first long-term intelligence-gathering mission abroad.
Japan's Abe kicks off five-day visit to Middle East amid U.S.-Iran tensions
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe embarks on a five-day trip to three Middle East nations as part of Tokyo’s efforts to help reduce tensions in a region that is critically important for resource-poor Japan.
Japan defense chief observes map exercise ahead of MSDF Mideast dispatch
Defense Minister Taro Kono observed an exercise conducted by Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel Thursday ahead of their dispatch to the Middle East on an information-gathering mission later this month. Commanding officers — including the captain of the Takanami destroyer, which is scheduled to be sent ...
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. Some in the ruling bloc have started to express concern ...
Abe calls for easing Mideast tension but indicates no change to Japan's SDF dispatch
In his first news conference of the year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan will continue with its diplomatic efforts.
Japan opposition chief seeks debate on planned SDF deployment to Middle East
Yukio Edano, the leader of the major opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, calls for an active debate on a plan to send Self-Defense Forces troops to the Middle East.
How socialism and the left wing failed in Japan
Three decades ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Malta Summit signified the end of the Cold War and the defeat of left-wing forces, including the socialists and communists. The communists lost power in the East, and the socialist parties in the West ...
Japan's naval dispatch to Middle East a 'product of compromise' between Iran and U.S., experts say
Experts term the decision to send Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel to the Middle East for independent information-gathering a ‘product of compromise.’
