Japan's Military

Japanese Ground Self-Defense force tanks conducting a live fire exercise Aug. 21, 2008
Japan: Shifting its Military Attention
July 2, 2009 1923 GMT
A possible deployment to the Japanese island of Yonaguni reflects Japan's shifting defense priorities and rising tensions over maritime territory. [more]
The USS John S. McCain (DDG-56)
China: The South China Sea and Submarine Warfare
June 15, 2009 2158 GMT
An incident between a U.S. warship and a Chinese submarine is another sign that the South China Sea is becoming a competitive naval arena. [more]
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C Orion aircraft leaves the Atsugi air base on May 28
Japan: Joining the Anti-Piracy Effort off the Somali Coast
May 28, 2009 1827 GMT
Japan's deployment of two P-3C maritime surveillance aircraft to Djibouti is significant for both anti-piracy operations and the Japanese military. [more]
U.S. guided missile cruiser launching SM-3 interceptor
East Asia: The Implications of BMD Deployment
March 26, 2009 1055 GMT
The deployment of ballistic missile defenses in East Asia has significant long-term implications. [more]
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Hyuga (DDH-181) in Yokohama, Japan
Japan, South Korea: A Naval Competition Speeds Up
March 19, 2009 1113 GMT
Japan has commissioned its largest warship since World War II. (With STRATFOR map) [more]
MSDF members wave to their families April 15, 2008, in Tokyo
Japan: Tokyo Expands its Maritime Activities
January 8, 2009 1227 GMT
Two developments in Japan demonstrate the East Asian country's continued intent to expand its maritime activity. [more]
The latest boat of China's last-generation Han class (Type 091) nuclear-powered attack submarine
China: Reports of Increased Naval Activity
October 22, 2008 1927 GMT
Four Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy ships reportedly transited Japan's Tsugaru Strait on Oct. 19. This and other incidents could indicate an increasing tempo of Chinese naval activity. [more]
Russian strategic bomber TU-95 in flight with two MiG-29s
Japan: A Brief Visit from a Russian Bomber
February 9, 2008 1806 GMT
Fighter aircraft from the Japan Air Self Defense Force and the U.S. Navy intercepted a Russian strategic bomber that entered Japanese airspace Feb. 9. [more]
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and ship return from refueling mission
Japan: Refueling the Defense Debate
January 11, 2008 1639 GMT
Japan's lower house of parliament passed a controversial bill Jan. 11 allowing its armed forces to resume refueling operations in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S. and coalition anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan. [more]
Geopolitical Diary icon
Geopolitical Diary: Japan's Plans for Godzilla, Mothra and the Russian Bear
December 21, 2007 0329 GMT
Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's statements on Thursday about defense deployments in response to an attack by Godzilla or Mothra hint at an important underlying issue: the evolution of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. [more]
Japanese Aegis-equipped destroyer Kirishima
Japan: The Aegis Specifications Leak
December 17, 2007 1711 GMT
A nearly yearlong investigation into mishandled classified specifications of the Aegis combat system inside the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) led to the Dec. 13 arrest of a JMSDF lieutenant commander. [more]
Japan Display
Japan: Shifting the BMD Balance in East Asia
November 29, 2007 1955 GMT
The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces will participate in a live-fire test of a U.S. Navy ballistic missile interceptor Dec. 17 -- a move that will mark a significant advance for ballistic missile defense in East Asia. [more]
Japanese Naval Personnel in Uniform on Boat
Japan: Adjusting with the U.S. to the New World Order
October 31, 2007 2008 GMT
Internal debates over whether Japan's troops should continue expanding their activities dominate domestic headlines, but the country's move away from its pacifist constitution is a done deal. [more]
Shinzo Abe
The Hitch in Japan's 'Normalization'
September 12, 2007 1230 GMT
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned Sept. 12, after steadfastly refusing to do so. [more]
Amphibious Warships: The Real East Asian Arms Race
April 5, 2007 1840 GMT
The real naval race in East Asia has nothing to do with aircraft carriers and everything to do... [more]
Japan, U.S.: Defense Contingencies and the Nuclear Question
March 22, 2007 2045 GMT
Japan and the United States are developing a joint operation plan for the Japanese Self-Defense... [more]
Japan: In a Unique Position for Ballistic Missile Defense
September 2, 2006 0121 GMT
The Japanese Self-Defense Force announced Aug. 31 that it would seek $1.8 billion for ballistic... [more]
Japan: The North Korea Effect, at Home and Abroad
July 12, 2006 0032 GMT
One of the many broad ramifications in Northeast Asia of North Korea's July missile tests is... [more]
Japan: Koizumi's Iraq Mission Leverage
June 21, 2006 0244 GMT
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said June 20 that Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF),... [more]
China, Japan: Disputing Resources Under the Sea
May 9, 2006 2215 GMT
China and Japan have agreed to meet during the third week of May to discuss disputed natural gas... [more]
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