GSDF band takes part in international military music festival in Moscow
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Central Band performed in the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival at Moscow's Red Square on Friday, becoming the first SDF band to join the event. The GSDF band played music featuring Japanese traditional musical instruments as well as classical and ...
U.S. F-35Bs may conduct takeoff and landing drills on Japan's renovated Izumo carriers
The U.S. military's F-35B fighter jets could use Izumo-class ships for training exercises after the Japanese vessels are renovated to be able to host such aircraft, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Thursday. Takeoff and landing drills using the Japanese helicopter carriers, which are due to ...
On Iran, Japan faces a difficult decision
Tokyo is being pulled in several different directions when considering whether to join a U.S.-led coalition in the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan eyes new defense unit to monitor space from ASDF base in west Tokyo
The Defense Ministry has decided to make a budget request for a new space monitoring unit to be set up in fiscal 2020 within its air forces, government sources said Wednesday. The unit, which is aimed at tracking space debris that poses a threat to ...
Japan considers moving up development of next-generation fighter jet to 2020
Japan is considering beginning development of next-generation fighter jet in fiscal 2020 — one year earlier than planned — to succeed the Air Self-Defense Force's F-2s, which are expected to be retired in the 2030s, governmental sources said Wednesday. The Defense Ministry had intended to ...
Australia's decision to join U.S.-led maritime mission off Iran likely to heighten pressure on Japan
Australia’s prime minister announced his country will join the U.S.-led mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions with Iran, albeit under Australia’s operational control.
Chinese military aircraft conducted a drill in international waters of the East China Sea in late May that simulated the targeting of Self-Defense Force destroyers, according to Japanese government sources Sunday, in what the government considered "an extremely dangerous military action." Officials said the drill, ...
Japan formally announces decision to buy F-35B stealth fighter jets from U.S.
The Defense Ministry has formally announced the selection of the U.S.-made F-35B cutting-edge stealth fighter jet as part of its plan to acquire short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft. The ministry, which made the decision Friday, plans to renovate the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Izumo-class ...
Japan to give South Korea cold shoulder as security partner in new defense white paper
Reflecting worsening bilateral ties, a Defense Ministry source says Japan will effectively lower South Korea’s standing as an important security cooperation partner in this year’s defense white paper.
Air Self-Defense Force concludes F-35A crash off northern Japan caused by human error
The Air Self-Defense Force concluded Friday that the April crash of an F-35A stealth fighter in the Pacific Ocean was caused by "spatial disorientation" on the part of the pilot and not by any mechanical problem. The conclusion is in line with an interim investigative ...
Suga hints Japan may send MSDF ships to join U.S.-led coalition off Iran after all
Oil-reliant Tokyo is looking to compromise because it doesn’t want to offend Tehran by formally joining Washington’s shipping coalition in the Strait of Hormuz.
ASDF to resume F-35A flights four months after fatal crash off northern Japan
The Defense Ministry resumed flights of Air Self-Defense Force F-35A stealth fighter jets Thursday afternoon, having suspended them since a fatal crash in April, the first ever reported for the aircraft. In June, the ministry concluded that the crash of an F-35A into the Pacific ...
