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2026-01-18 21:45 UTC
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518 articles • Page 2 of 11

Japanese Cabinet Approves Record-Breaking Defense Budget
The Japanese government has approved a new defense budget which amounts to a record-high figure. The decision was taken by the cabinet in their recent meeting....
Forget F-35, F-47 and FCAS: The GCAP Fighter Is Coming
Japan has confirmed a 2035 target for its next-generation General Combat Airplane (GCAP) fighter after reviewing budgets, design work, and engine progress. Collaborating with the UK and Italy, Japan a...
Allies cancel orders for F-35 as aircraft was unable to fly half of last year
Defence reports indicate that several allies have begun reconsidering their existing or planned orders for the F-35 fighter jets, following concerns over maintenance issues. According to data from 202...
A Russian Pilot Defected with A Mach 2.83 MiG-25 ‘Foxbat’ Fighter Jet
The article discusses the significant event where Viktor Belenko, a Soviet pilot, defected on September 9, 1976 by flying his MiG-25 'Foxbat' fighter jet to Japan, providing Western intelligence with ...
Japan on track to become world’s third-largest defence spender
Japan is set to increase its defense expenditure significantly, which includes a record budget and an expansion of missile and drone programs. This marks a notable shift in Japan's security posture to...
Japan’s Cabinet OKs record defense budget that aims to deter China
The Japanese government has approved a defense budget for fiscal year 2026 which amounts to an increase of 9.4% compared to the previous fiscal year, solidifying Japan's commitment towards enhancing i...
Japan’s Long Return to Artificial Intelligence
Japan, previously a leader in machine learning, is restarting its efforts in artificial intelligence to bolster economic resilience and maintain technological relevance....
Japan Accelerates Defense Buildup With Record Budget and Expanded Unmanned Capabilities
Japan is set to increase its defense budget for the twelfth consecutive year, responding to growing security challenges in the region and pressure from U.S. alliance requirements. The new draft includ...
Japan passes largest-ever defense budget
Japan's cabinet has approved a record-high defense budget of over ¥9 trillion ($58 billion) for the next fiscal year, marking an increase of 9.4% from the current fiscal period. The move highlights To...
Japan responds to China with unprecedented number of F-2 Fighters with anti-ship missiles
In December 2025, Japan deployed an unusual number of JASDF F-2 fighter aircraft equipped with 64 anti-ship missiles in response to Chinese naval activity near Japanese waters. This deployment was obs...
Takaichi’s Cabinet proposes record spending in next fiscal year
Japan's Takaichi-led Cabinet has proposed a record budget ahead of parliamentary approval scheduled for early next year....
Top Stories 2025: International Naval Acquisition
In 2025, Australia chose the Japanese Mogami-class frigate for its future naval requirements in a landmark agreement, underscoring Japan's expanding arms export activities. This selection will fulfill...
China sharpens criticism of Japan’s ‘neo-militarism’, warns of ‘dangerous signal’
Chinese state media have intensified their critique of Japan's alleged resumption of militaristic tendencies since the end of WWII. The People’s Daily, a platform for the Communist Party, argues that ...
How will Takaichi balance ties with the DPP and JIP?
Shinzō Abe's successor as Japan's prime minister faces challenges in maintaining trust between his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner....
Japan’s Rapidus set to rival TSMC and Samsung for chip supremacy
Rapidus, a Japanese initiative aiming to develop a domestic chip manufacturing industry competitive with TSMC and Samsung Foundry, is evolving into a significant national project reminiscent of simila...
Japan aims to eliminate serious lithium battery fires by 2030
The Japanese government has compiled a policy package that calls for local governments and companies to take proper disposal measures of used lithium batteries. The initiative seeks to address the env...
Japan Completes All Improved Type 12 Anti-Ship Missile Tests
The Japanese Ministry of Defense's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced on December 19th that the development and testing of the land-based variant of the Improved Type 12 Surfa...
Germany Invited To British-Japanese Stealth Fighter Program
The UK Ministry of Defence has expressed openness to including Germany in its Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which currently involves Italy and Japan for a sixth-generation fighter jet initiative. ...
The making of Shinzo Abe’s assassin
Tetsuya Yamagami's decision to assassinate former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was influenced by his concerns over the Unification Church's relationship with the prime minister and personal fina...
Draft resolution by U.S. lawmakers blasts China’s coercion against Japan
A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers has put forward a draft resolution urging President Trump to collaborate with Pacific allies to counteract China's coercive activities towards Japan....
Japanese government adopts first basic plan on AI
The Japanese government has established its first comprehensive strategy for artificial intelligence (AI). The guiding principle of this policy is to foster the creation of trustworthy and secure AI s...
China’s recklessness risks a security crisis with Japan
The article discusses the increasing risk to regional peace and security posed by China's aggressive and intimidating actions, specifically highlighting potential dangers for Japan....
LDP exec Hagiuda and Taiwanese President Lai agree to boost ties
Taro Kanno's (Kazuma Hagiuda) executive committee member for Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) expressed hope in a conversation with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan. He emphasized the conti...
Japan has ‘free hand’ for bold action in FX market if needed
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama has issued her strongest warning yet to currency speculators. This follows the yen's continued weakening despite an increase in interest rates. The minister ...
Japan Needs Nuclear Powered Submarines Like the U.S. Navy
Analysis suggests Japan requires nuclear-powered submarines to address several strategic naval limitations faced by its diesel-electric fleet in the expansive Western Pacific. Key issues include endur...
Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan as tensions spike
China has protested against several visits by high-ranking officials from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to Taiwan. The latest visitor is Koichi Hagiuda, who met with Taiwanese leader William ...
Japan backs world’s largest nuclear plant restart despite pushback from residents
Niigata Prefecture has approved the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, marking an important step in Japan's return to nuclear energy following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The plant is o...
North Korea warns ‘mankind will face great disaster’ if Japan gets nuclear arms
On Sunday, North Korea warned that Japan's pursuit of nuclear weapons must be prevented at all costs following a statement by an unnamed Japanese official suggesting Japan should possess atomic weapon...
Israel Recognises True Ally In India, Pursues Defence Expansion, Rebuild Supply Chain Channel, Amid Global Arms Restrictions
Israel has shifted its defense collaboration focus towards India due to increasing arms export restrictions from Western nations following the Gaza conflict. Nations such as Spain, the Netherlands, Be...
Are Japan and South Korea Poised for a Historic Breakthrough?
The article discusses the potential for cooperation between Japan and South Korea as they seek to counterbalance China's increasing influence. It highlights that despite historical tensions, both coun...
Quad Launches Inaugural Indo-Pacific Logistics Network Exercise For Rapid Humanitarian Response
The Quad nations—India, USA, Australia, and Japan—have initiated their first Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) Field Training Exercise from December 8-12, 2025. The event aims to enhance regional ...
Japan sets $19 billion business target in Central Asia
Japan has announced a five-year strategic aim to engage in approximately $19 billion worth of economic initiatives within Central Asian countries as part of an effort to increase its geopolitical infl...
Takaichi hosts first summit with Central Asia leaders
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi hosted the inaugural summit between Japan and Central Asia at an unspecified time. The event aims to enhance political ties, econom...
China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns
The Japanese Defense Ministry has released a report warning that China’s military expansion could seriously impact Japan’s security. The ministry notes an increase in activities across the first islan...
Tokyo, AUSMIN, AUKUS meetings: views from ASPI analysts
Defence Minister Richard Marles visited Tokyo to meet with Japan’s new Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi amid a period of increased defense diplomacy called 'doubling down on friends'. This visit incl...
Japan and US Deepen Military Connections Against China
The article discusses escalating military collaborations between Japan and the United States to counterbalance rising Chinese assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. This includes joint exercises, a...
Full Text of Speech by Japanese PM Abe at Pearl Harbor
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech at Pearl Harbor, marking a significant moment in Japan-US relations. The address emphasized historical reconciliation and the strengthening of bil...
Normalising disinformation: China shifts to overt operations against Japan
Chinese state media and diplomatic social channels escalated efforts to undermine Japan's reputation as a security partner in the Indo-Pacific region during 2025, according to reports by Japan Nexus I...
SoftBank lifts OpenAI stake to 11% with $41 billion investment
Japanese conglomerate SoftBank has increased its financial commitment to AI research organization OpenAI by completing the second tranche of a planned $40 billion investment, bringing it up to $22.5 b...
Japan takes step closer to unmanned warships
On December 19, 2025, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, Yohei Wakabayashi, visited the Ship Equipment Research Institute to inspect testing facilities. The...
Japan’s $6 billion for Ukraine says more than money: Zelenskyy thanks Tokyo for defending global order
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his appreciation to Japan for a significant financial commitment of $6 billion, viewing it as an act that supports the global order. This large co...
Japan orders more JSM missiles for F-35A fighters
Japan has concluded another contract with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to procure more Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its fleet of F-35A fighter jets, with the deal valued at over NOK 800 million. T...
Australia and Japan should secure the sea lanes that could decide the next war
The article suggests that Australia and Japan share responsibility for securing vital sea lines of communication (SLOC) in the Pacific Ocean. This proposal aims to enhance cooperation between the two ...
Evening recap
The article summarizes key developments from Gaza over recent days, highlighting ongoing ceasefire violations by Israeli forces resulting in deaths and injuries of Palestinians. It also mentions sever...
Qatar joins US 'Pax Silica' as it races to catch up with Gulf neighbours on AI
Qatar has joined the US-led 'Pax Silica' program aimed at securing artificial intelligence (AI) and chip supply chains. The move underscores its commitment to invest in advanced technology and align c...
Record World Leaders Head to Davos for 2026 WEF Summit
The 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland, is expected to attract an unprecedented number of world leaders and influential personalities. The event promises discussions on a bro...
Takaichi and South Korea’s Lee to take ties to ‘new heights’ amid Japan-China rift
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's successor Shinjuro Koizumi (known as Takaichi) and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation focusing on economic securi...
How a snap election in Japan could put Sanae Takaichi in a stronger position with China
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan may call an early election due to her high approval ratings. This move could strengthen her position vis-a-vis both China and the United States, though diplomati...
Japan’s Takaichi tipped for snap election gamble as poll ratings soar
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's rising popularity may lead her to call a general election to strengthen the Liberal Democratic Party-led government. She is working on tackling rising prices a...
China Hails India Overtaking Japan As World’s 4th Largest Economy
India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, according to recent government announcements. This achievement sets India on track to potentially ...
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