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July 24, 2026
 

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DEFENSE MINISTRY

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (left) and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at NATO's headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 23, 2026
Koizumi calls for breaking taboo on nuclear debate
¡°Unless discussions are held without any taboos, no country can any longer ensure its own security on its own,¡± the defense minister told reporters at NATO headquarters.
Canadian Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Japanese defense chief Shinjiro Koizumi pose for a family photo at the Global Combat Air Program news conference at Wellington Barracks in London on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 21, 2026
Canada to join Japan-Italy-U.K. fighter project as first observer nation
The move will not entail a financial commitment or contractual obligations, but could create a pathway to deepened future cooperation in the program.
A Chinese Navy destroyer (left) conducts live-fire training inside Japan's exclusive economic zone near Okinotorishima island as a Russian warship (right) observes in this image taken Sunday and released late Monday. Below: An enlarged section of the image shows machine-gun fire from the Chinese vessel.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 21, 2026
Chinese warship holds rare live-fire exercise inside Japan¡¯s EEZ
In a first, Tokyo publicized the drill, releasing images of the destroyer firing a machine-gun near Okinotorishima island over the weekend.
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 21, 2026
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The annual economic policy guidelines referenced goals announced by NATO and two U.S. allies and pledged to ¡°transform the country¡¯s defense capabilities within five years.¡±
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends an annual training session near Mount Fuji at Higashifuji Training Field in?Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan last month.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 19, 2026
Japan ¡®cannot avoid¡¯ nuclear weapons debate, defense chief Koizumi says
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi¡¯s remarks come as the government weighs revising the country¡¯s decades-old pledge not to produce, possess or host nuclear arms.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a news conference at parliament in Tokyo on July 3.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 15, 2026
As Japan¡¯s security ties grow, defense chief pushes for international bureau
As a key reason for the initiative, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi cited growing responsibilities as the ministry builds up defense ties with like-minded nations.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, on June 17.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 13, 2026
Takaichi¡¯s first economic policy blueprint puts defense industry revival in focus
The government seeks to ¡°transform Japan¡¯s defense posture within five years¡± to achieve highly autonomous and resilient operational capabilities.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (second from right) and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (third from right) join other Indo-Pacific Four officials for a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 8, 2026
Japan and NATO share concerns about Chinese military activities
Tokyo has sought to keep NATO interested in the Indo-Pacific region even as the alliance focuses on beating back claims by the U.S. that it has outlived its usefulness.
The Philippines is looking to receive five Abukuma-class vessels from Japan in the next two to three years as part of broader efforts by Tokyo to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors amid growing Chinese military assertiveness in the region.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 8, 2026
Japan set to deliver five retired MSDF warships to Philippines in ¡®two to three years¡¯
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. says administrative details are being finalized, but it¡¯s ¡°already a done deal.¡±
The Defense Ministry in Tokyo. The government is considering establishing a new bureau at the agency that would be in charge of dealing with international policies.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 8, 2026
New bureau eyed for Defense Ministry as international coordination grows
In light of the increasingly severe security environment, the planned bureau is expected to handle tasks related to like-minded countries.
A Luup service station at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo. Parts of the picture have been blurred for security reasons.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 6, 2026
Defense Ministry introduces e-scooter sharing at Tokyo headquarters
The move raised concerns about the possible leakage of location data on ministry employees who handle classified information, though the defense minister has allayed such fears.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends an annual training session near Mount Fuji at Higashifuji Training Field in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on June 7.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2026
¡®Defense,¡¯ not ¡®warfare,¡¯ stressed as pacifist Japan beefs up capabilities
The move is seen as at least partially aimed at winning public support for boosting the country¡¯s defense capabilities.
Self-Defense Forces personnel stand guard at the entrance of the Defense Ministry in Tokyo in April.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 1, 2026
Japan weighs state ownership of defense plants to boost arms supply
A draft of the government¡¯s basic economic and fiscal policy guidelines calls for reviewing existing law to allow greater state involvement.
Self-Defense Forces drones are flown during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / ANALYSIS
Jun 29, 2026
Does a new arsenal of deterrence run through Japan?
A spate of defense deals have highlighted Japan¡¯s emergence as a potentially key manufacturing base for the Indo-Pacific region.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korean defense chief Ahn Gyu-back inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony before their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Seoul on Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 28, 2026
Koizumi holds rare talks in Seoul with South Korean defense chief
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his counterpart, Ahn Gyu-back, held the first talks in South Korea between the countries¡¯ defense chiefs in 11 years.
A Chinese Air Force H-6 bomber is seen during a joint patrol with Russian military aircraft on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 28, 2026
Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets stage joint patrol near Japan
China¡¯s Defense Ministry said the flight demonstrated the two countries¡¯ ¡°resolve and capability to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.¡±
An Airbus Eurodrone remotely piloted aircraft system is displayed at the International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris in June last year.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 27, 2026
KHI and Airbus eye cooperation on Japanese variant of Eurodrone
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has signed a preliminary deal with Airbus to cooperate on a possible Japanese anti-submarine version of a European defense drone.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said a bill enacted by parliament on Friday will allow his ministry to respond to the most severe and complex security environment of the postwar period.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 26, 2026
Japan enacts bill to add space operations into ASDF¡¯s fold
The renaming of the ASDF by the end of fiscal 2026, will mark the first name change for any branch of the Self-Defense Forces since its establishment in 1954.
The Defense Ministry in Tokyo. Cases of administrative documents containing specially designated secrets being handled improperly were found at the ministry and the Cabinet Secretariat.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 26, 2026
Improper handling of secrets found at Cabinet Secretariat
Documents were stored inappropriately, such as being left in office drawers, instead of being kept in lockable safes, according to a report.
A Self-Defense Forces member stands guard at the entrance of the Defense Ministry in Tokyo in April.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 25, 2026
Japan rejects Chinese claim SDF ¡®harassed¡¯ Chinese aircraft carrier group
The Defense Ministry in Tokyo said the accusations ¡°are not true¡± and pledged to continue to ¡°professionally and diligently¡± monitor the waters and airspace around Japan.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Intervention is the word after yen moves beyond ?163 and sits there
The government could prop up the yen at any moment, though its signaling is hard to read.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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