Tag Archives: JMSDF

DSEI: Chinese Expansionism Presents Challenge and Opportunity, Says Admiral

DSEI: Chinese Expansionism Presents Challenge and Opportunity, Says Admiral

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert departs the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship Datong FFG 580 on July 17, 2014. US Navy Photo

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert departs the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship Datong FFG 580 on July 17, 2014. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a revised headline that better reflects the comments of Rear Adm. Jeff Harley.

LONDON— A two-star U.S. Navy admiral has played down fears that the Chinese government’s apparent determination to pursue its territorial claims in the South China Sea will lead inevitably to war. Read More

Japan Launches Latest Helicopter Carrier

Japan Launches Latest Helicopter Carrier

Helicopter carrier Kaga (DDH-184) on Aug. 27, 2015. Japan Marine United Photo

Helicopter carrier Kaga (DDH-184) on Aug. 27, 2015. Japan Marine United Photo

Japan has launched the second in its new class of helicopter carrier — the largest Japanese ships since World War II — in a Thursday ceremony in Yokohama. Read More

Essay: Understanding Japan's Shifting Defense Policy

Essay: Understanding Japan’s Shifting Defense Policy

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reviews members of Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) Oct. 26, 2014. Reuters Photo

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reviews members of Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) Oct. 26, 2014. Reuters Photo

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has proposed major changes in Japan’s defense policy, with strong implications for the United States and U.S. armed forces in the Pacific. The changes, designed to shift Japan away from an isolated, pacifistic defense posture to a more dynamic one based on bilateral and even multilateral relationships, are controversial but not uncommon to most nations. Read More

Inside the New U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines

Inside the New U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during the Rim of the Pacific 2014 Exercise. US Navy Photo

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during the Rim of the Pacific 2014 Exercise. US Navy Photo

On Monday the United States and Japan agreed to the most sweeping changes to their bilateral alliance in more than fifty years. The so-called “2+2” Security Consultative Committee (SCC), consisting of the U.S. secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and Japan’s foreign minister and defense minister agreed to a series of initiatives that will draw the two allies even closer in defense and security matters. Read More

Japan Commissions Largest Warship Since World War II

Japan Commissions Largest Warship Since World War II

An undated photo of JS Izumo (DDH-183) underway. The ship commissioned on March 25, 2015. JMSDF Photo

An undated photo of JS Izumo (DDH-183) underway. The ship commissioned on March 25, 2015. JMSDF Photo

A 24,000-ton helicopter carrier has formally entered the fleet of Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) on Wednesday making the ship the largest warship Japan has fielded since the close of World War II. Read More

U.S. 7th Fleet Would Support ASEAN South China Sea Patrols

U.S. 7th Fleet Would Support ASEAN South China Sea Patrols

Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, delivers remarks during a change of command ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73). US Navy Photo

Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, delivers remarks during a change of command ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73). US Navy Photo

The head of U.S. naval forces in the Western Pacific said the U.S. would support an emerging plan to create multi-national patrols in the South China Sea that could bear similarities to anti-piracy patrols in the Strait of Malacca. Read More

U.S. 7th Fleet CO: Japanese Patrols of South China Sea 'Makes Sense'

U.S. 7th Fleet CO: Japanese Patrols of South China Sea ‘Makes Sense’

USS Pinckney (DDG-91) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships near Guam on July 8, 2014. US Navy Photo

USS Pinckney (DDG-91) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships near Guam on July 8, 2014. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to include a quote from the Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs and law, K. Shanmugam.

The commander of U.S. 7th Fleet said Japan should start patrolling the South China Sea and said China’s claims in the region are resulting in, “unnecessary friction” with neighbors. Read More