USS George Washington (CVN-73) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima (DDG-174) on Nov. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved the purchase of two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems this week to counter the threat of ballistic missiles from North Korea, though Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters that many specific details are still yet to be determined. Read More
Sailors launch Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) and soldiers assigned the Japan Ground Self Defense Force from the well-deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) during amphibious assault training in June 2015. US Navy photo.
Japan is boosting its amphibious and coastal defense capabilities, shifting security personnel to outer islands and converting ground forces into amphibious units capable of defending those islands from attack. Read More
A damaged U.S. Army helicopter rests on the deck of the USNS Red Cloud off Okinawa island, southern Japan on Aug. 12, 2015. Kyodo Photo
The Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashed aboard the USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR-313) on Wednesday was demonstrating its special operations capabilities to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the time of the incident, U.S. Forces Japan announced. Read More
