Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Outgoing Japanese PM Ishiba honors fallen SDF personnel

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a memorial ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2025, for 30 Self-Defense Forces personnel who died in the line of duty over the year to the end of August. (Pool photo)

E

Outgoing Japanese PM Ishiba honors fallen SDF personnel

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a memorial ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2025, for 30 Self-Defense Forces personnel who died in the line of duty over the year to the end of August. (Pool photo)

E

Meeting between Japan PM and SDF senior officials

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (C, back) gives instructions to senior Self-Defense Forces officials during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on June 30, 2025.

E

Meeting between Japan PM and SDF senior officials

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gives instructions to senior Self-Defense Forces officials during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on June 30, 2025.

E

Meeting between Japan PM and SDF senior officials

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gives instructions to senior Self-Defense Forces officials during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on June 30, 2025.

E

Meeting between Japan PM and SDF senior officials

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba receives a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, prior to him giving instructions to senior Self-Defense Forces officials.

E

Meeting between Japan PM and SDF senior officials

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba receives a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, prior to him giving instructions to senior Self-Defense Forces officials.

E

Meeting between Japan PM and SDF senior officials

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba receives a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, prior to him giving instructions to senior Self-Defense Forces officials.

E

Japan preparing to intercept possible N. Korea missile

TOKYO, May 30 Kyodo - Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missile interceptors are installed on the Defense Ministry premises in Tokyo on May 30, 2016. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani ordered the Self-Defense Forces to prepare to intercept a possible North Korean missile amid signs Pyongyang may go ahead with a ballistic missile launch in defiance of U.N. resolutions.

E

Japanese foreign minister in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (far L) and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong (far R) hold a joint press conference after their talks in Phnom Penh on June 30, 2014. The Cambodian side expressed support for Japan's plan to give the Self-Defense Forces a greater role to contribute to global peace and stability.

E

Heavy rain in northeastern Japan

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A Self-Defense Forces vehicle runs through a flooded road in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 30, 2011, due to heavy rain brought by a tropical storm. Police and firefighters have been on alert for potential mudslides and flooding in northeastern Japan that suffered the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

E

Removal of debris from disaster areas

KAMAISHI, Japan - Members of the Self-Defense Forces remove rubble in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 30, 2011. The central government assumes it will take three years for the prefectures worst hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami to finish removing massive piles of debris left by the disaster.

E

Searching for missing people in Fukushima

MINAMISOMA, Japan - Members of the Self-Defense Forces search for people missing since the March 11, 2011, tsunami in an area within a 30-kilometer radius of the crisis-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on April 23.

E

SDF personnel help with influenza checks at Narita airport

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel arrive at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on April 30 to help quarantine officers checking for swine flu after the World Health Organization raised its flu alert level to phase 5, one notch below the highest pandemic phase.

E

Nakasone willing to consider alternative plans for SDF mission

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone speaks in an interview with Kyodo News and other Japanese media at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 30. Nakasone showed willingness to consider alternative plans, including new activities involving the Self-Defense Forces, in case a bill to extend the current antiterrorism support mission in the Indian Ocean fails to clear parliament.

E

All 4 crew members killed in GSDF chopper crash in Tokunoshima

TOKUNOSHIMA, Japan - Self-Defense Forces personnel checking the wreckage of a Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 helicopter which crashed late March 30 near the peak of Mt. Amagi in Tokunoshima Island. All four crew members were killed. Tokunoshima is part of the Amami island chain off southern Kagoshima.

E

All 4 crew members killed in GSDF chopper crash in Tokunoshima

TOKUNOSHIMA, Japan - Self-Defense Forces personnel check the scene where a Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 helicopter crashed late March 30 near the peak of Mt. Amagi in Tokunoshima Island, part of the Amami island chain off southern Kagoshima. All four crew members were killed.

E

SDF troops leave Japan for U.N. mission in Nepal

NARITA, Japan - Six Self-Defense Forces troops say farewell to family members at Narita airport March 30 as they prepare to leave for Nepal to participate in a one-year U.N. military observer mission there under a cease-fire accord between the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels.

E

Defense Agency advance team leaves for Java

NARITA, Japan - An advance team of the Defense Agency leaves Narita airport May 30 for quake-hit Java Island, Indonesia, ahead of Japan's planned dispatch of a Self-Defense Forces contingent to provide medical support and other relief.

E

Defense Agency advance team leaves for Java

NARITA, Japan - An advance team of the Defense Agency leaves Narita airport May 30 for quake-hit Java Island, Indonesia, ahead of Japan's planned dispatch of a Self-Defense Forces contingent to provide medical support and other relief.

E

Another lawsuit filed against SDF dispatch to Iraq

OSAKA, Japan - Writer Makoto Oda (R) and 19 others meet reporters after filing a suit with the Osaka District Court on April 30 claiming Japan's dispatch of its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq is unconstitutional. Similar lawsuits have already been filed with the Sapporo, Tokyo and Nagoya district courts.

E

Lower house panel OKs SDF dispatch to Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - Ruling and opposition members of the House of Representatives special committee on Iraq's reconstruction rush to the panel chairman's seat in the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 30 after the ruling coalition parties -- the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito party -- approved the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq.

E

Japan ready for possible terrorist attack on World Cup

TOKYO, Japan - A Japanese Self-Defense Forces officer, clad in protective gear, appears at the Defense Agency in Tokyo on May 16 during a meeting of officials from 10 prefectures where the World Cup soccer matches will be held. The Defense Agency called the meeting to prepare for possible terrorist attacks on the May 31-June 30 World Cup finals to be co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.

E

Diet authorizes antiterror SDF deployment

TOKYO, Japan - The House of Councillors on Nov. 30 approves by a vote of 191-41 the government's dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to the Indian Ocean to provide logistical support to the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan. The House of Representatives gave its support Nov. 27.

E

Okinawans begin hunger strike to protest SDF deployment

NAHA, Japan - About 30 Okinawa citizens begin a 32-hour hunger strike in front of the Okinawa prefectural government office Nov. 21 in Naha to protest the dispatch of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to lend noncombat support to the U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.

E

Koizumi pledges efforts to enact legislation on SDF dispatch

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi responds to questions posed by ruling and opposition members of the House of Representatives at the lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Oct. 30. Koizumi pledged to swiftly draw up and seek the enactment of new legislation to allow the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to provide noncombat support for a likely U.S. military response to the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

E

Japanese gov't advance team arrives in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A Japanese government advance team arrives at Islamabad International Airport on Sept. 30 to prepare for the dispatch of Air Self-Defense Forces aircraft to transport relief supplies to refugees entering the country from neighboring Afghanistan.

E

Obuchi attends memorial service for 4 SDF members

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi (R) delivers an eulogy at a memorial service held at the Defense Agency in Tokyo on Oct. 30 for members of the Self-Defense Forces who were killed while on duty in the past year. Four SDF members died in the year through last August in duty-related accidents or illness, bringing the total number of Japanese military personnel killed in line of duty to 1,687 since 1950.

E

Rescuers search for people missing in torrential rain

Rescue workers search for missing people June 30 in a house which was destroyed by a torrential rain-triggered landslide in Hiroshima. The death toll from heavy rain in western Japan rose to 23 after police and Self-Defense Forces rescuers recovered 11 bodies during an all-night search.

E

Worst Earthquake In 50 Years Devastates Kansai Region

HYOGO, JAPAN - JAN. 17: Japan's most devastating earthquake in nearly half a century ravaged the international port city of Kobe and many other cities in western Japan on Tuesday. At least 112 people were killed and 163 people are missing in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, after a powerful earthquake hit Kobe, Osaka and other parts of the Kinki region in western Japan on Tuesday morning, Authorities said. Police said more than 340 people were injured, while 223 people appear to have been buried in rubble in Hyogo Prefecture. According to a Kyodo News Service survey, at least 360 people suffered injuries in the Kansai region as of 11:30 a.m. Upon an emergency request from Hyogo prefectural police, the Self-Defense Forces have dispatched troops to rescue people trapped under collapsed houses and buildings.

E

Worst Earthquake In 50 Years Devastates Kansai Region

HYOGO, JAPAN - JAN. 17: Japan's most devastating earthquake in nearly half a century ravaged the international port city of Kobe and many other cities in western Japan on Tuesday. At least 112 people were killed and 163 people are missing in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, after a powerful earthquake hit Kobe, Osaka and other parts of the Kinki region in western Japan on Tuesday morning, Authorities said. Police said more than 340 people were injured, while 223 people appear to have been buried in rubble in Hyogo Prefecture. According to a Kyodo News Service survey, at least 360 people suffered injuries in the Kansai region as of 11:30 a.m. Upon an emergency request from Hyogo prefectural police, the Self-Defense Forces have dispatched troops to rescue people trapped under collapsed houses and buildings.

E

Worst Earthquake In 50 Years Devastates Kansai Region

HYOGO, JAPAN - JAN. 17: Japan's most devastating earthquake in nearly half a century ravaged the international port city of Kobe and many other cities in western Japan on Tuesday. At least 112 people were killed and 163 people are missing in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, after a powerful earthquake hit Kobe, Osaka and other parts of the Kinki region in western Japan on Tuesday morning, Authorities said. Police said more than 340 people were injured, while 223 people appear to have been buried in rubble in Hyogo Prefecture. According to a Kyodo News Service survey, at least 360 people suffered injuries in the Kansai region as of 11:30 a.m. Upon an emergency request from Hyogo prefectural police, the Self-Defense Forces have dispatched troops to rescue people trapped under collapsed houses and buildings.

E

Worst Earthquake In 50 Years Devastates Kansai Region

HYOGO, JAPAN - JAN. 17: Japan's most devastating earthquake in nearly half a century ravaged the international port city of Kobe and many other cities in western Japan on Tuesday. At least 112 people were killed and 163 people are missing in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, after a powerful earthquake hit Kobe, Osaka and other parts of the Kinki region in western Japan on Tuesday morning, Authorities said. Police said more than 340 people were injured, while 223 people appear to have been buried in rubble in Hyogo Prefecture. According to a Kyodo News Service survey, at least 360 people suffered injuries in the Kansai region as of 11:30 a.m. Upon an emergency request from Hyogo prefectural police, the Self-Defense Forces have dispatched troops to rescue people trapped under collapsed houses and buildings.

E

SDF-operated COVID-19 mass vaccination site

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2022, shows a booth at a COVID-19 mass vaccination site in Tokyo operated by medical staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Vaccinations will begin Jan. 31 for people aged 18 or older getting their third shots. (Pool photo)

E

SDF-operated COVID-19 mass vaccination site

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2022, shows a COVID-19 mass vaccination site in Tokyo operated by medical staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Vaccinations will begin Jan. 31 for people aged 18 or older getting their third shots. (Pool photo)

E

SDF-operated COVID-19 mass vaccination site

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2022, shows a booth at a COVID-19 mass vaccination site in Tokyo operated by medial staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Vaccinations will begin Jan. 31 for people aged 18 or older getting their third shots. (Pool photo)

E

Search for Atami mudslide survivors passes crucial 1st 3 days

The crucial first three days for finding survivors of a large mudslide in central Japan passed Tuesday as local authorities slashed the number of people considered missing from 64 to 29. The initial 72-hour period elapsed at around 10:30 a.m. in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, where 1,100 firefighters, police and Self-Defense Forces personnel continued to remove debris and search mud-swamped houses. The local governments had been trying to locate 64 people registered as residents in the affected area, a hot-spring resort southwest of Tokyo. But they said Tuesday the whereabouts of 41 people have been confirmed while six other people have been added to the list.

E

Search for Atami mudslide survivors passes crucial 1st 3 days

The crucial first three days for finding survivors of a large mudslide in central Japan passed Tuesday as local authorities slashed the number of people considered missing from 64 to 29. The initial 72-hour period elapsed at around 10:30 a.m. in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, where 1,100 firefighters, police and Self-Defense Forces personnel continued to remove debris and search mud-swamped houses. The local governments had been trying to locate 64 people registered as residents in the affected area, a hot-spring resort southwest of Tokyo. But they said Tuesday the whereabouts of 41 people have been confirmed while six other people have been added to the list.

E

Diet authorizes antiterror SDF deployment

TOKYO, Japan - The House of Councillors on Nov. 30 approves by a vote of 191-41 the government's dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to the Indian Ocean to provide logistical support to the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan. The House of Representatives gave its support Nov. 27.

E

SDF troops leave Japan for U.N. mission in Nepal

NARITA, Japan - Six Self-Defense Forces troops say farewell to family members at Narita airport March 30 as they prepare to leave for Nepal to participate in a one-year U.N. military observer mission there under a cease-fire accord between the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels. (Kyodo)

E

Nakasone willing to consider alternative plans for SDF mission

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone speaks in an interview with Kyodo News and other Japanese media at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 30. Nakasone showed willingness to consider alternative plans, including new activities involving the Self-Defense Forces, in case a bill to extend the current antiterrorism support mission in the Indian Ocean fails to clear parliament. (Kyodo)

E

Japan begins antipiracy mission off Somalia, escorts 5 ships

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami is seen moving in the Gulf of Aden on March 30. The vessel is one of two Japanese destroyers that began an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia the same day, marking the start of the first such mission abroad for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The other Japanese destroyer is the 4,550-ton Samidare. (Courtesy of the Defense Ministry)(Kyodo)

E

People on Security

Japan-U.S. Security Treaty revised, Socialist Party split, 100-billion-yen fighter jet. 　Prime Minister Kishi on a PR mission before the extraordinary Diet session, the UN Day parade, Kono's farewell party to the U.S., the Diet members' meeting, the Socialist Party's split into the Nishio faction and its own parliamentary activities, the debate over whether to use Lockheed or Grumman fighter jets, local people 　clapping their hands at reconstruction work in areas hit by the Self-Defense Forces disaster, the big autumn exercise in Miyagi Prefecture, Asanuma's speech at the extraordinary Diet session. Date of shooting unknown, release date: October 30, 1959.

E

Japan prepared to intercept possible N. Korea missile

Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missile interceptors are installed on the Defense Ministry premises in Tokyo on May 30, 2016. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani ordered the Self-Defense Forces to prepare to intercept a possible North Korean missile amid signs Pyongyang may go ahead with a ballistic missile launch in defiance of U.N. resolutions. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japan prepared to intercept possible N. Korea missile

Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missile interceptors are installed on the Defense Ministry premises in Tokyo on May 30, 2016. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani ordered the Self-Defense Forces to prepare to intercept a possible North Korean missile amid signs Pyongyang may go ahead with a ballistic missile launch in defiance of U.N. resolutions. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japan promulgates new security laws for enforcement within 6 months

Photo taken Sept. 30, 2015, shows an official gazette stating the enactment of two new security laws to expand overseas operations of the Self-Defense Forces. The laws will take effect within six months at a date to be specified under an ordinance. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

30 people rally in N.Y. to oppose to Japan's new security laws

About 30 people hold a rally in front of the Rockefeller Center in New York on Sept. 27, 2015, to oppose Japan's new security laws that expand the scope of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' overseas operations. The protestors belong to OVERSEAs, a group consisting of overseas Japanese who oppose the legislation. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

30 people rally in N.Y. to oppose to Japan's new security laws

About 30 people hold a rally in front of the Rockefeller Center in New York on Sept. 27, 2015, to oppose Japan's new security laws that expand the scope of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' overseas operations. The protestors belong to OVERSEAs, a group consisting of overseas Japanese who oppose the legislation. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Protesters rally at Diet building against security bills

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows hundreds of thousands of people protesting at the parliament building in Tokyo on Aug. 30, 2015, against the government's security bills that would allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and expand overseas operations of the Self-Defense Forces. About 120,000 people took part, according to organizers. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Protesters rally at Diet building against security bills

Photo taken by a Kyodo News helicopter shows hundreds of thousands of people protesting at the parliament building in Tokyo on Aug. 30, 2015, against the government's security bills that would allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and the expand overseas operations of the Self-Defense Forces. About 120,000 people took part, according to organizers. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo