The joint drills involved warships, coast guard vessels and aircraft closing in on the island and also saw Chinese forces practice blockading key ports. Read more
The exercises, code-named Joint Sword-2024B, are intended “to test the joint operations capabilities of the theater command’s troops.” Read more
Tuesday’s remarks were not the first time Aso has sounded off about Taiwan and how a conflict over the island would represent an emergency for Japan. Read more
Two controversial proposals put by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba — an Asian version of NATO or revising the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement — were not discussed. Read more
The new prime minister has named four former defense ministers to key posts — most notably, the defense and foreign affairs portfolios. Read more
The transit on Wednesday, which follows a spate of Chinese military moves near Japan, drew a strongly worded warning from Beijing. Read more
The MSDF’s destroyer Sazanami reportedly sailed through the waterway on Wednesday, following a spate of Chinese military moves near Japan. Read more
Tokyo’s unprecedented decision to fire flares as a warning after a Russian military plane entered Japanese airspace may not be enough to prevent a recurrence. Read more
A Russian IL-38 patrol aircraft violated Japanese airspace off Hokkaido’s Rebun island three times, with the ASDF firing flares for the first time in response. Read more
China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier passed through a narrow waterway between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands in Okinawa Prefecture. Read more