National Jun 30, 2020
JS Takanami returns to Japan from information-gathering in Middle East
The MSDF vessel was the first Japanese destroyer to conduct the research mission in the region to ensure sea lane safety.
National Jun 25, 2020
Aegis Ashore deployments in Japan scrapped, defense minister confirms
On Wednesday the government started to review its national security policy, focusing on whether the nation should possess the ability to strike enemy bases.
National / Politics Jun 23, 2020
Japan says U.S. hasn't requested more money to host American troops
The United States has not asked Tokyo to pay more to keep its troops in the country, Japan's defense minister said Tuesday, after former national security adviser John Bolton wrote in his tell-all memoir that he had conveyed President Donald Trump's demand for an ...
National / Politics Jun 23, 2020
Taro Kono takes rare step of revealing submarine spotted near southwest Japan was likely Chinese
Defense chief cites the situation with the Senkaku Islands as part of rationale for disclosing vessel's nationality despite the "high secrecy" of such information.
National Jun 22, 2020
Japan weighs Aegis Ashore alternatives, including megafloat or deployment aboard destroyer
Special teams will work to whittle down options, with the government aiming to make a decision by this summer.
National / Politics Jun 21, 2020
Japan to officially scrap Aegis Ashore deployment, with alternative plan eyed by end of summer
Japan's National Security Council to make an official decision to withdraw the plan to deploy the system in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures in the near future.
National / Politics | FYI Jun 21, 2020
Defense Ministry blunders and local opposition ruin Japan's Aegis Ashore plans
by Eric Johnston
The controversial project was long troubled by doubts about whether it was even needed, and by whom.
National Jun 19, 2020
Defense chief Taro Kono visits Yamaguchi to apologize for Aegis Ashore cancellation confusion
Yamaguchi's governor and the mayor of Hagi criticized the government for not detecting the booster problem earlier and for dividing residents with the project.
National Jun 19, 2020
U.S. talking with Japan on concerns over halted Aegis Ashore missile defense plan
Japan was supposed to be the third country to introduce the Aegis Ashore system after Romania and Poland.
National | ANALYSIS Jun 16, 2020
Is sudden decision to 'suspend' Aegis Ashore deployment a setback or a calculated retreat?
by Jesse Johnson and Satoshi Sugiyama
With Trump distracted by domestic issues, Abe may have judged the timing as ripe for halting the U.S.-made missile system without facing too much of a backlash.
National Jun 15, 2020
Japan suspends plan to deploy Aegis Ashore missile defense system
Defense Minister Taro Kono cited costs and technical problems as the main reasons for the decision to scrap the plan.
National May 18, 2020
Japan launches new squadron to step up defense in outer space
The squadron, part of the Air Self-Defense Force, will monitor space debris and suspicious satellites to prevent collisions with Japanese satellites.