Japan
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Conflicts - Tensions
Quad leaders to expand maritime security cooperation in face of PRC aggression
FORUM Staff Australia, India, Japan and the United States will launch joint Coast Guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific in 2025. The enhanced security cooperation will improve interoperability and boost maritime safety, the leaders of the four member nations of the Quadrilateral partnership, or Quad, announced after their late September 2024 summit in the U.S. The initial Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission…
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Northeast Asia
Japan’s defense posture evolution draws growing public support
Thisanka Siripala As Japan’s defense posture evolves in response to regional security challenges, including through a reshaping of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the addition of counterstrike capabilities, public support is growing for the country’s expanding capabilities. The JSDF historically has enjoyed strong public support for effective responses to natural disasters, Yuki Tatsumi, director of the Japan Program at…
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Global Commons
Indo-Pacific nations bolstering defense of undersea cables against emerging vulnerabilities
Tom Abke Data is omnipresent, and undersea cables are vital for transmitting everything from voice and video to financial transactions and confidential government communications. Recent incidents have highlighted their vulnerabilities, however, prompting Indo-Pacific nations to launch collaborative efforts such as the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, while also strengthening their individual capacity to monitor, protect and repair the…
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Northeast Asia
South Korean defense expert shares insights on deterrence efforts, important alliances
Sentry Staff Dr. Hyeongpil Ham, a retired Republic of Korea colonel, has worked for more than 30 years at South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. He led South Korea’s governmental task force responsible for addressing North Korea’s nuclear threats and developing South Korea’s deterrence and defense strategy. He…
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Global Commons
Japan plans record defense spending, bolsters partnerships
FORUM Staff Facing “the most severe and complex security environment” since their founding 70 years ago, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) will accelerate the development and deployment of advanced capabilities such as precision long-range weapons, and a network of small satellites to detect and track missiles and other imminent threats. The initiatives are outlined in Tokyo’s proposed 2025 defense budget,…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Australia, Japan boost defense ties in face of PRC incursions
The Associated Press Australia and Japan will increase joint military exercises as the nations share concerns over the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) recent incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met for a regular summit with their Australian counterparts, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles, in…
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Northeast Asia
U.S., allied navies conduct Pacific Dragon exercise
United States Navy Allied navies joined the United States Navy and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to conduct the Pacific Dragon 2024 (PD24) ballistic missile defense exercise from July 29 to August 13 around the Hawaiian Islands. Hosted by U.S. 3rd Fleet, the biennial exercise improves the forces’ ability to work together to track and intercept ballistic missiles. It included…
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Northeast Asia
South Korea reaffirms ‘peace through strength’ as North threatens more missile deployments
Felix Kim Facing escalating threats from North Korea — including the regime’s growing nuclear and missile capabilities and its deepening ties with Russia — South Korean defense leaders are reaffirming the nation’s commitment to building an “elite, advanced and powerful military” under the doctrine of “peace through strength.” The strategy focuses on reinforcing South Korea’s longtime alliance with the United…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Chinese military aircraft enters Japanese airspace for first time, spurs condemnation
Voice of America Japan scrambled fighter jets after confirming a Chinese military surveillance aircraft violated its territorial airspace off Nagasaki prefecture’s Danjo Islands in the East China Sea in late August 2024, Japan’s Defense Ministry said. The People’s Liberation Army Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft remained in Japanese airspace for about two minutes, officials said. It was the first incursion by a…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Hanoi, Tokyo deepen cooperation with new defense agreements, equipment transfers
Felix Kim Japan and Vietnam are bolstering their defense relations in light of shared security threats largely involving maritime territorial incursions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). New defense agreements and the transfer of two search and rescue vehicles demonstrate the progress made since the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership in late 2023. A meeting between Japanese Defense…
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