Armed conflict response fears linger as MSDF's Middle East mission starts
With the Maritime Self-Defense Force having fully started its information-gathering mission in the Middle East as part of the effort to ensure sea lane safety there, concerns over what its contingent can effectively do to that end—given its operational limits—continue to grip the government. Although ...
The Japan-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, but that doesn't mean it's on autopilot
When the Japan-U.S. security treaty was revised 60 years ago, nobody expected that it would become one of the most remarkable security alliances in history. The treaty, which is the centerpiece of the two nations' alliance, has continuously provided a strong security architecture to protect ...
Japanese defense chief has strong words for China ahead of Xi's spring visit
Defense Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday urged Beijing to respect international norms and work toward addressing his country's concerns over increasing Chinese maritime assertiveness ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan in the spring. Kono took aim at China during his speech at a ...
Japan defense chief Taro Kono tours Aegis missile defense test site in Hawaii
Defense Minister Taro Kono on Monday visited a test complex of a U.S.-developed land-based missile defense system in Hawaii amid a stalemate over its introduction to Japan, with candidate sites angered by errors in government surveys used to select the locations. Vice Adm. John Hill, ...
Japan Defense Minister Kono to meet Esper and inspect Hawaii missile-defense system
Defense Minister Taro Kono said Friday he will visit Washington this coming week for a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Mark Esper, to discuss the situation in the Middle East and other regional affairs. During the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Kono is also expected to ...
Japan backs restrained U.S. response to Iranian missile strikes, Abe says
Defense Minister Taro Kono spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart Amir Hatami to explain Tokyo's plan to dispatch a destroyer and two patrol airplanes to the Middle East, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Thursday. Hatami didn't show any negative response to the planned dispatch ...
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 ...
On first China visit by Japan defense chief in 10 years, ministers agree to boost mutual trust
Defense Minister Taro Kono and his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Wei Fengzhe, agreed to work to boost mutual trust and strengthen communication amid growing Japanese concerns over Beijing's increasing military assertiveness. Kono made clear that there are still various issues between Japan and China, including the ...
Kono to leave for China on Wednesday for first visit by Japan defense chief in 10 years
Defense Minister Taro Kono said he will visit Beijing from Wednesday to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Wei Fenghe, becoming the first Japanese defense chief to travel to China in 10 years amid improved bilateral ties. "Japan and China have a lot of ...
Japan and U.S. defense chiefs agree Tokyo-Seoul intel pact is vital
Defense Minister Taro Kono and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper have agreed that military cooperation between Japan and South Korea is vital for regional security, as their bilateral intelligence-sharing pact is set to expire Saturday, according to a Defense Ministry official. They met in Bangkok ...
With eye on China, Tokyo seeks stronger Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation
With the rise of China in mind, Defense Minister Taro Kono on Sunday called for strengthening defense cooperation between the country and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. At a meeting in Bangkok with counterparts from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ...
Japan and South Korean defense chiefs eye first talks for a year, with GSOMIA pact high on agenda
If the meeting takes place, it will be the first between defense ministers of the two countries since October last year amid frayed bilateral ties.
