Japan eases arms export rules to enable weapons sales

Japan eases arms export rules to enable weapons sales

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, following a Cabinet decision to revise limits on Japan's defense equipment exports to enable the sale of weapons overseas.

Japan eases arms export rules to enable weapons sales

Japan eases arms export rules to enable weapons sales

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, following a Cabinet decision to revise limits on Japan's defense equipment exports to enable the sale of weapons overseas.

Japan eases arms export rules to enable weapons sales

Japan eases arms export rules to enable weapons sales

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, following a Cabinet decision to revise limits on Japan's defense equipment exports to enable the sale of weapons overseas.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at a parliament building in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, after three of the Ground Self-Defense Force members were killed and another member injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise at GSDF's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at a parliament building in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, after three of the Ground Self-Defense Force members were killed and another member injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise at GSDF's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

N. Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles

N. Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) meets the press in the suburbs of Melbourne on April 19, 2026, after North Korea fired suspected ballistic missiles earlier in the day.

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles sign documents in Melbourne on April 18, 2026, after the two countries agreed to jointly develop frigates for the Australian navy.

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles (3rd from R) in Melbourne on April 18, 2026.

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles before their talks in Melbourne on April 18, 2026.

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japan-Australia defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles hold a joint news conference following their talks in Melbourne on April 18, 2026.

Japan, EU to expand cooperation in defense equipment

Japan, EU to expand cooperation in defense equipment

Japan and the European Union hold an inaugural meeting aimed at boosting cooperation in the development and production of defense equipment in Brussels on April 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan's top admiral to visit S. Korea

Japan's top admiral to visit S. Korea

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Akira Saito holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on April 14, 2026, saying he will visit Seoul on April 15-16 to hold talks with his counterparts from South Korea and the United States.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Japan: JASDF Blue Impulse Flyover to Mark 10 Years Since Kumamoto Earthquake

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force aerobatic team, Blue Impulse, performed a flyover above Kumamoto City on Saturday, April 11, to mark 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake, which struck the region with magnitude 6.5 and 7.3 tremors.

Japan: JASDF Blue Impulse Flyover to Mark 10 Years Since Kumamoto Earthquake 2

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force aerobatic team, Blue Impulse, performed a flyover above Kumamoto City on Saturday, April 11, to mark 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake, which struck the region with magnitude 6.5 and 7.3 tremors.

Japan-Australia defense ministerial talks

Japan-Australia defense ministerial talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (far R) holds talks with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles (far L) at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on April 8, 2026.

Japan hands over cease-fire monitoring devices to Malaysia

Japan hands over cease-fire monitoring devices to Malaysia

Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata attends a ceremony at the Malaysian Defense Ministry in Kuala Lumpur on April 8, 2026, to hand over radio transceivers, LCD displays and other devices to the Malaysian armed forces to support their cease-fire monitoring activities in the Cambodia-Thailand border areas.

Japan hands over cease-fire monitoring devices to Malaysia

Japan hands over cease-fire monitoring devices to Malaysia

Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata (L) attends a ceremony at the Malaysian Defense Ministry in Kuala Lumpur on April 8, 2026, to hand over radio transceivers, LCD displays and other devices to the Malaysian armed forces to support their cease-fire monitoring activities in the Cambodia-Thailand border areas.

"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

"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)

"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

"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)

"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

"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)

"2 plus 2" Japan-France ministerial meeting

"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)

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

GSDF officer arrested over alleged entry into Chinese Embassy in Tokyo

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.

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.

Wildfire in Gunma Pref.

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.

Wildfire in Gunma Pref.

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.

[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)

Japan-Germany defense talks

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.

Japan-Germany defense talks

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.

Japan-Germany defense talks

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.

Japan-Germany defense talks

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.

Japan-German defense talks

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.