ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

KOMAKI, Japan, March 8 Kyodo - Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel prepare to board a KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft at the ASDF base in Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in the early hours of March 8, 2026, bound for the Maldives in the Indian Ocean to support the possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid an escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. (Kyodo)

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse aerobatic team plane during a visit to the ASDF's base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 8, 2026. The plane flew over coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, ahead of its 15th anniversary.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse aerobatic team plane during a visit to the ASDF's base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 8, 2026. The plane flew over coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, ahead of its 15th anniversary.

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft takes off at the ASDF base in Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in the early hours of March 8, 2026, bound for the Maldives in the Indian Ocean to support the possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid an escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft takes off at the ASDF base in Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in the early hours of March 8, 2026, bound for the Maldives in the Indian Ocean to support the possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid an escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel prepare to board a KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft at the ASDF base in Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in the early hours of March 8, 2026, bound for the Maldives in the Indian Ocean to support the possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid an escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

ASDF transport plane departs for Maldives

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel board a KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft at the ASDF base in Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in the early hours of March 8, 2026, bound for the Maldives in the Indian Ocean to support the possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid an escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Japan defense minister visits ASDF base in Okinawa Pref.

Japan defense minister visits ASDF base in Okinawa Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) visits the Japan Air Self-Defense Force base in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Jan. 8, 2026.

Japan defense minister visits ASDF base in Okinawa Pref.

Japan defense minister visits ASDF base in Okinawa Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front) boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force jet during a visit to its base in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Jan. 8, 2026.

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft is recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft is recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

ASDF F-2 fighter jet crashes in Pacific off east Japan

ASDF F-2 fighter jet crashes in Pacific off east Japan

Gen. Takehiro Morita, chief of staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2025, after an ASDF F-2 fighter jet crashed earlier in the day in the Pacific off Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, during a training flight, with the pilot rescued after ejecting before impact.

ASDF F-2 fighter jet crashes in Pacific off east Japan

ASDF F-2 fighter jet crashes in Pacific off east Japan

Gen. Takehiro Morita, chief of staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2025, after an ASDF F-2 fighter jet crashed earlier in the day in the Pacific off Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, during a training flight, with the pilot rescued after ejecting before impact.

ASDF plane departs for Djibouti

ASDF plane departs for Djibouti

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-2 transport aircraft prepares to take off at Miho Air Base in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on June 21, 2025, heading to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa for a possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East.

ASDF plane departs for Djibouti

ASDF plane departs for Djibouti

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-2 transport aircraft takes off at Miho Air Base in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on June 21, 2025, heading to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa for a possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East.

ASDF plane departs for Djibouti

ASDF plane departs for Djibouti

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-2 transport aircraft prepares to take off at Miho Air Base in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on June 21, 2025, heading to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa for a possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over ASDF base in northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

ASDF plane makes emergency landing

ASDF plane makes emergency landing

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-2 transport aircraft makes an emergency landing at Niigata airport in Niigata Prefecture on May 9, 2024, after a window on the cockpit's port side opened midair.

ASDF 70th anniversary ceremony

ASDF 70th anniversary ceremony

Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, chief of staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, delivers a speech at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on April 25, 2024, in a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the ASDF.

ASDF 70th anniversary ceremony

ASDF 70th anniversary ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara delivers a speech at the ministry in Tokyo on April 25, 2024, in a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Air Self-Defense Force.

PAC-3 interceptor drill by ASDF

Fukuoka, Japan, Feb. 28 Kyodo - The Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducts a drill for the deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missile interceptors at a parking lot in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 28, 2024, following repeated ballistic missile tests by North Korea.(Kyodo)

PAC-3 interceptor drill by ASDF

PAC-3 interceptor drill by ASDF

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducts a drill for the deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missile interceptors at a parking lot in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 28, 2024, following repeated ballistic missile tests by North Korea.

PAC-3 interceptor drill by ASDF

PAC-3 interceptor drill by ASDF

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducts a drill for the deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missile interceptors at a parking lot in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 28, 2024, following repeated ballistic missile tests by North Korea.

Japan defense minister visits ASDF base

Japan defense minister visits ASDF base

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (2nd from L) visits the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's base in Naha in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2024.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Okinawa

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Okinawa

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation show at the ASDF base in Naha in Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2023.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Okinawa

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Okinawa

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation show at the ASDF base in Naha in Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2023.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Okinawa

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Okinawa

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation show at the ASDF base in Naha in Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2023.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (front, L) visits the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) visits the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (front, L) and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (front, R) visit the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida makes a speech at a troop inspection ceremony on Nov. 11, 2023, at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) arrives at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023, to attend a troop inspection ceremony.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida makes a speech at a troop inspection ceremony on Nov. 11, 2023, at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan.

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japan PM Kishida visits ASDF base

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (front, R) attends the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's troop inspection ceremony at its Iruma air base in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

KOMAKI, Japan, Oct. 14 Kyodo - The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane leaves the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago. (Kyodo)

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane leaves the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago.

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane prepares to leave the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago.

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane prepares to leave the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team

Blue Impulse aerobatic team

Spectators look at planes used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2023.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2023.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over northeastern Japan

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over northeastern Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies during an aviation festival at the ASDF base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2023.