KN-11 Launch. North Korean Central News Agency Photo
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operating under the assumption that North Korea can — or is close to — fielding a ballistic missile tipped with a nuclear warhead, the U.S. is working more and more closely with Japan and South Korea in the realm of ballistic missile defense (BMD). Read More
U.S. Pacific Command commander Adm. Harry Harris on Feb. 25, 2016 addressing reporters in the Pentagon. DoD News Image
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The head of U.S. forces in the Pacific has not received any official word from Manila to change its defense relationship with the Philippines – despite months of statements to the contrary from firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte. Read More
Two Japanese Air Self Defense Forces F-15s in 2009. US Air Force Photo
Beijing claims a pair of Japanese fighters locked weapons radar on their planes over the East China Sea, while Tokyo denies the accusation. Read More
Marines with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force position amphibious assault vehicles for security during the amphibious landing exercise (PHIBLEX) for Exercise Iron Fist 2016. US Marine Corps Photo
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A dozen amphibious assault vehicles left the USS Somerset (LPD-25) a mile offshore and raced toward the beach Friday in two waves. The night before, a group of Marines and Japanese soldiers rode ashore in combat rubber raiding craft, using speed and surprise to survey and prepare the beachhead in advance of the amphibious landing force. Read More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) soldiers measure range distances with their M24 sniper rifles at the unknown distance live-fire event during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. US Marine Corps Photo
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Just days after the official kick-off to the annual Iron Fist 2016 bilateral exercise, a small, elite group of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers dove into training for what they like to do best: Sniping. Read More
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Carmody, top left, the Battalion Gunner for 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, gives a tour of Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms training grounds to members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during a site survey as part of Iron Fist mid-planning conference at Twentynine Palms in 2015. US Marine Corps Photo
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Over the next five weeks, a small force of Japanese soldiers is getting down and dirty with U.S. Marines, learning from them what it means to fight from the sea. Read More
The following is an overview of Japan’s Fiscal Year 2016 defense budget request. Read More
The following is the April 27, 2015 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation. Read More
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works of Kobe Harbor in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, Japan in 2006. via Wikipedia
The recent relaxation of Tokyo’s ban on arms exports has introduced Japan as a budding player in the international arms market. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has given the go-ahead for Japanese firms to compete internationally for arms contracts. Read More
A government advisory panel, convened by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, recommended today that Japan make major changes to its defense policy. Prompted by recent tensions with China and North Korea, the panel recommended a reinterpretation of the national Constitution allowing Japan to exercise its right to collective self defense. Read More
