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"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

(from L) French Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Minister Catherine Vautrin, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pose for a photo prior to their "two-plus-two" ministerial meeting in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

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"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (4th from R) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (5th from R) attend a "two-plus-two" ministerial meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (4th from L) and French Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Minister Catherine Vautrin (5th from L) in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

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"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (far R) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from R) attend a "two-plus-two" ministerial meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and French Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Minister Catherine Vautrin in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

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"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (L) and French Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Minister Catherine Vautrin (R) attend a "two-plus-two" ministerial meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on March 31, 2026.

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Japan: Tokyo Peace Fest Draws 1,400 in Protest Against Constitutional Revision and War

Around 1,400 people gathered near Shinjuku Station in Tokyo on Saturday, March 28, for a rally called "Peace Fest — No to War and Dictatorship," where participants sang anime songs related to peace and called for peace and constitutionalism. Demonstrators protested against Prime Minister Takaichi's push for constitutional revision and the incident involving a Self-Defense Forces member who entered the Chinese Embassy.

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Japan-U.S. ceremony for Battle of Iwojima fallen

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi views a memorial monument for the 29,000 Japanese and U.S. soldiers who died in the 1945 Battle of Iwojima during World War II, during a visit to the Pacific Ocean island, currently called Iwoto Island, on March 28, 2026. A Japan-U.S. joint ceremony for the fallen was held the same day.

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Japan-U.S. ceremony for Battle of Iwojima fallen

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from R) attends a Japan-U.S. joint memorial service for the 29,000 Japanese and U.S. soldiers who died in the 1945 Battle of Iwojima during World War II, held on the Pacific Ocean island, currently called Iwoto Island, on March 28, 2026.

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Japan-U.S. ceremony for Battle of Iwojima fallen

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press after attending a Japan-U.S. joint memorial service for the 29,000 Japanese and U.S. soldiers who died in the 1945 Battle of Iwojima during World War II, held on the Pacific Ocean island, currently called Iwoto Island, on March 28, 2026.

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Japan-U.S. ceremony for Battle of Iwojima fallen

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a Japan-U.S. joint memorial service for the 29,000 Japanese and U.S. soldiers who died in the 1945 Battle of Iwojima during World War II, held on the Pacific Ocean island, currently called Iwoto Island, on March 28, 2026.

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Japan: Thousands Gather in Tokyo to Oppose Constitutional Amendment and Hormuz Deployment

Around 24,000 people gathered in front of the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Wednesday, March 25, to protest against war and constitutional revision, calling for the protection of Japan's pacifist constitution and urging the government not to deploy the Self-Defense Forces to the Strait of Hormuz. Demonstrators holding placards and colorful glow sticks in various shapes filled the streets in scenes resembling an outdoor concert.

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GSDF officer arrested over alleged entry into Chinese Embassy in Tokyo

Police officers stand guard in front of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on March 24, 2026, after a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member was arrested earlier in the day on suspicion of unlawfully entering the embassy.

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Japan: Wildfire Rages in Gunma’s Ueno Village, Prompting Evacuation

A wildfire that broke out on Saturday, March 21 in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture, continues to burn with no sign of containment. Approximately 96 hectares of forest have been scorched as of Monday morning, March 23. A prefabricated mountain structure was destroyed, and 9 households comprising 21 residents remain under evacuation orders. No injuries have been reported.

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Wildfire in Gunma Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Japan Ground Self-Defense Force firefighting operations amid a wildfire in Ueno in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Wildfire in Gunma Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Japan Ground Self-Defense Force firefighting operations amid a wildfire in Ueno in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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[Breaking News]Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

KUMAMOTO, Japan, March 17 Kyodo -Video taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy. (Kyodo)

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Japan-Germany defense talks

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (R), accompanied by his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi (C), receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-Germany defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (far L) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius (2nd from L) board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Teruzuki at the MSDF's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-Germany defense talks

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (R), accompanied by his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-Germany defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius shake hands following a joint press appearance at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius make a joint press appearance following their talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius make a joint press appearance following their talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius make a joint press appearance following their talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius (far R) hold talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius (far R) hold talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius shake hands before holding talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

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Japan Defense Minister Koizumi in parliament

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on March 18, 2026.

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Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

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Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front, C) attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (back, C) attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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Japan defense chief attends troop inspection ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends a troop inspection ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026, following the academy's graduation ceremony.

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Students toss their hats into the air at a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026.

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026.

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026.

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi addresses a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026.

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Students toss their hats into the air at a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026.

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 14, 2026.

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Japan: Residents Protest as Long-Range Missile Launcher Arrives at JGSDF Camp in Kumamoto 2

Early on March 9, the Ministry of Defense delivered a long-range missile launcher to the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto for their first domestic deployment. In response to the move, which began without prior notice from the ministry, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the camp, demanding the withdrawal of the deployment and the holding of a briefing for residents.

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Japan: Residents Protest as Long-Range Missiles Launcher Arrives at JGSDF Camp in Kumamoto

Early on March 9, the Ministry of Defense delivered a long-range missiles launcher to the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto for their first domestic deployment. In response to the move, which began without prior notice from the ministry, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the camp, demanding the withdrawal of the deployment and the holding of a briefing for residents.

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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)

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Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

People protest near Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on the evening of March 8, 2026, ahead of the scheduled arrival of a GSDF vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

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Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher arrives at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of March 9, 2026. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.