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July 05, 2026
 

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SDF

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
JAPAN / Explainer
Dec 3, 2025
Takaichi’s Taiwan tumult: A closer look at the Japanese leader’s contentious remarks
The prime minister’s remarks about a Taiwan emergency have caused a diplomatic uproar, sending Japan-China ties to new lows.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (center) speaks to reporters at the Air Self-Defense Force's Fuchu base in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 3, 2025
Koizumi inspects ASDF group for outer space security
The Defense Ministry is pursuing a policy to strengthen its capabilities, recognizing the growing importance of the space domain for national security.
Japan has reportedly held informal talks with the Philippines on the possible export of a Type-03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system to Manila.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 1, 2025
Japan defense firms saw sales boom in ’24 as Tokyo eyes end of more export curbs
Sales by Japan’s top defense firms rose 40% year-on-year in 2024, new research has shown, as Tokyo looks to further ease rules on the export of lethal defense gear.
Soldiers stand guard at a gate of the Yonaguni military base in October 2021. The Self-Defense Forces plan to deploy Chu-SAM missiles to strengthen the air defenses around the island, which lies just 110 kilometers from Taiwan.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 28, 2025
Koizumi’s significant (and insignificant) Yonaguni visit
The timing of Koizumi’s visit amid the ongoing China-Japan tension made this stop there much more interesting than it otherwise would have been.
Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta speaks during a recent interview with The Japan Times at navy headquarters in Manila.
JAPAN
Nov 26, 2025
Philippines seeks more retired MSDF patrol aircraft, navy chief says
The head of the Philippine Navy has said the service is interested in acquiring an additional five retired TC-90 aircraft from Japan to boost its surveillance capabilities.
The navies of Japan, the U.S. and South Korea take part in a combined anti-submarine exercise in waters off South Korea's Jeju Island in April 2023. The Takaichi administration is looking to strengthen alliances to coordinate responses and mitigate regional threats under a collective deterrence approach.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 26, 2025
The argument for Indo-Pacific ‘collective deterrence’
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is boosting defense, alliances and collective deterrence to protect Japan, support allies and maintain Indo-Pacific stability.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters after inspecting the Ground Self-Defense Force garrison on Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sunday.
JAPAN
Nov 23, 2025
Japan on track to deploy missiles to island near Taiwan, Koizumi says
Japan is planning to station medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni, about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan, as part of a broader military build-up.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth inspect an honor guard in Tokyo on Oct. 29.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 23, 2025
One month in, real test set to come for defense chief Koizumi
The minister’s biggest test is yet to come: paving the way for boosting Japan’s defense capabilities while obtaining the public’s understanding for the move.
Yoichiro Otsu, the suspect arrested in connection with the stabbing of a woman in Akasaka, Tokyo, enters the Akasaka Police Station on Saturday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2025
GSDF officer arrested over stabbing of woman in Tokyo’s Akasaka area
The suspect, Lt. Col. Yoichiro Otsu, who belongs to the GSDF’s Camp Asaka in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward, has denied the allegations against him.
A densely populated residential area near the Saganoseki fishing port where a fire broke out, in the city of Oita on Wednesday morning
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2025
Massive fire engulfs more than 170 buildings in Oita
Fire crews were still working to control the blaze, which has left one resident missing, as of Wednesday morning.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters Tuesday on the parliament grounds.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 19, 2025
Japan-South Korea defense drill unlikely to take place this month
Some observers say the South Korean move may be a response to Japan’s recent cancellation of refueling for aircraft from the South Korean Air Force.
(From left) Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Foreign Minister Sugiono, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attend a joint press announcement after their meeting at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 18, 2025
Japan and Indonesia zero in on maritime security as they agree to boost defense ties
The move could also open up opportunities for trilateral cooperation with Australia following Jakarta’s announcement of plans to upgrade a key defense agreement with Canberra.
Chinese tourists wear kimonos as they visit Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 15, 2025
China warns citizens not to visit Japan as row over Taiwan heats up
Beijing’s first retaliatory move against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan could have a significant impact on tourism.
Police cars leave the Akita Prefectural Police headquarters to cull bears, in the city of Akita on Thursday.
JAPAN / Explainer
Nov 13, 2025
As attacks surge, who can cull bears in Japan?
In Japan, few people typically own guns, and the process to qualify for a license to hunt the animals takes time and effort.
A box trap is set up in Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, on Nov. 5 to capture bears.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2025
LDP proposes measures against bear attacks
The measures include employing those with hunting licenses as “government hunters” and procuring electric fences and traps.
The Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, carries out sea trials at an unknown location in May last year.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2025
China delivers warning to U.S. and Japan with third aircraft carrier
The new 316-meter warship will allow Beijing to keep at least one carrier at sea at all times, giving it more options to project air and naval power closer to its neighbors.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in parliament on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2025
Takaichi doesn’t mince words on Taiwan, but dramatic policy shift unlikely
The prime minister’s remarks illustrate the gradual evolution of Japan’s relationship with Taiwan and its growing concern over China.
The U.S.' recent approval of South Korea’s nuclear submarine program may set a precedent for Japan, which could consider similar nuclear capabilities amid growing regional security threats.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 11, 2025
Japan should resist the temptation to go nuclear
Japan moving ahead on any nuclear options would be a mistake no matter what the United States, Russia or South Korea might do.
A U.S. Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine arrives at port in Rockingham, Australia, in February.
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2025
Japan likely to discuss possessing nuclear subs
The Maritime Self-Defense Force currently possesses submarines powered by diesel engines and lithium-ion batteries.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions during a session of the House of Representatives' Budget Committee in parliament in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 10, 2025
Takaichi stands firm on controversial Taiwan contingency remarks
While the prime minister says she has “no intention” of changing the government’s position, her remarks push the line further than those of her predecessors.
‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
A man orders from a kebab shop in the Okubo district in Tokyo.
Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits from October
Foreign tourists walk on the path leading to the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in May.
Japan’s princesses face life-altering legal revisions
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, said in a 2022 news conference upon coming of age that she hopes to “spend a long time together” with her parents.
Japanese police arrest nine over Sierra Leone-based special fraud
Japanese police have arrested nine individuals for their alleged involvement in a special fraud case using Sierra Leone as a base.
Japanese-language education is at a turning point
The country is gradually transforming Japanese-language education from a volunteer-driven system into a professional, government-supported network to better serve its growing foreign population. 
Iran war exposed, but hasn’t changed, Japan’s reliance on imported oil
Wind turbines generate energy from strong easterly winds on the Shonai Plain in Yamagata Prefecture. Despite the oil crisis caused by conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns instability in the region could continue to impact supply and the price of imports, the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi does not seem to be drawing on the war as a pretext to hasten progress toward Japan's renewable goals.
Six of the best: rikishi of note in each sumo division
Kazuma (right) faces off against future <i>yokozuna</i> Onosato during the All Japan Amateur Sumo Championships at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo in December 2020.
Some startups see opportunity in an aging Japan
Yasmin Baba, CTO of Amilis, wins the Grand Prize at the Pitch2Tokyo Grand Final on Feb. 19.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Western-style rooms spanning the size of four tatami mats with hardwood floors, a toilet and soft mattresses on bed frames are designated for foreign nationals and those with health conditions at Tochigi Prison.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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