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Defense Minister Koizumi visits MSDF Yokosuka base

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) is pictured during an inspection of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's new destroyer, Kumano, at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Defense Minister Koizumi visits MSDF Yokosuka base

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) boards the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's new destroyer, Kumano, at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Defense Minister Koizumi visits MSDF Yokosuka base

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) poses for a photo during an inspection of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's new destroyer, Kumano, at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Defense Minister Koizumi visits MSDF Yokosuka base

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) poses for a photo during an inspection of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's new destroyer, Kumano, at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Defense Minister Koizumi visits MSDF Yokosuka base

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (1st row, C) poses for a photo during an inspection of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's new destroyer, Kumano, at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

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MSDF's new submarine launched

A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's newly built submarine Sogei is held at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on Oct. 14, 2025.

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MSDF's new submarine launched

A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's newly built submarine Sogei is held at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on Oct. 14, 2025.

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Japan PM Ishiba inspects MSDF destroyer Kaga

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets the press after inspecting the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 23, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Japan PM Ishiba inspects MSDF destroyer Kaga

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel after inspecting the destroyer Kaga at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 23, 2025. (Pool photo)

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New MSDF ocean research ship

A new Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force auxiliary oceanographic research ship is pictured after its launch ceremony at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on May 29, 2025. The ship, Akashi, will be deployed at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture in eastern Japan around March 2026.

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New MSDF ocean research ship

A new Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force auxiliary oceanographic research ship is pictured during its launch ceremony at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on May 29, 2025. The ship, Akashi, will be deployed at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture in eastern Japan around March 2026.

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Submarine Raigei delivered to MSDF

Photo taken on March 6, 2025, shows the submarine Raigei following a ceremony marking its delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at a shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. in Kobe, western Japan. The 84-meter submarine weighing about 3,000 tons will be deployed at the MSDF's base in Kure in the western Japan prefecture of Hiroshima.

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Submarine Raigei delivered to MSDF

Photo taken on March 6, 2025, shows the submarine Raigei following a ceremony marking its delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at a shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. in Kobe, western Japan. The 84-meter submarine weighing about 3,000 tons will be deployed at the MSDF's base in Kure in the western Japan prefecture of Hiroshima.

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Japan defense chief at MSDF's Yokosuka base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (C) meets the press at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka, near Tokyo, on Nov. 7, 2024.

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Japan defense chief at MSDF's Yokosuka base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (front, L) visits the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Mogami at the MSDF's base in Yokosuka, near Tokyo, on Nov. 7, 2024.

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MSDF destroyer Kaga

File photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 17, 2024, shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga departing the MSDF's Kure base in the Hiroshima Prefecture city of Kure, western Japan.

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MSDF destroyer Kaga

File photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 17, 2024, shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga departing the MSDF's Kure base in the Hiroshima Prefecture city of Kure, western Japan.

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MSDF destroyer Kaga

File photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 17, 2024, shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga departing the MSDF's Kure base in the Hiroshima Prefecture city of Kure, western Japan.

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MSDF destroyer Kaga

File photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 17, 2024, shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga departing the MSDF's Kure base in the Hiroshima Prefecture city of Kure, western Japan.

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MSDF's training vessel Kashima in London

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force training ship Kashima passes London's Tower Bridge over the River Thames on Sept. 5, 2024.

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MSDF's training vessel Kashima in London

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force training ship Kashima passes London's Tower Bridge over the River Thames on Sept. 5, 2024.

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Italian Navy aircraft carrier visits Yokosuka

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Italian Navy personnel pose for a photo after the Italian Navy's aircraft carrier Cavour (back) makes a port call at the MSDF's base in Yokosuka in the eastern Japan prefecture of Kanagawa on Aug. 22, 2024, to conduct joint exercises.

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MSDF's submarine Hakugei

Photo taken on March 20, 2024, shows a new submarine Hakugei handed over to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force from its builder Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. at a shipyard in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, in western Japan.

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Japan MSDF drone

Photo taken June 21, 2023, shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicle at the MSDF's air base in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

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Italian patrol vessel in Japan

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel pose for a photo with the crew of the Italian Navy's multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel Francesco Morosini as the vessel makes a call at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on June 21, 2023.

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College student at MSDF's curry contest in Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Yuka Urabe, one of the visitors to vote in a curry-cooking contest held at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, enjoys curry and rice on April 19, 2014.

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MSDF vessel sinks fishing boat, 2 in critical condition

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe answers questions from reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2014, about the collision between a Maritime Self-Defense Force transport vessel and a leisure fishing boat. Earlier in the day, the fishing boat capsized after colliding with the MSDF's Osumi in the sea off Hiroshima Prefecture. Two of the four people aboard the boat are in critical condition.

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Japan's new patrol plane P-1

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in March 2013 shows a P-1 jet, the next-generation Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft, at the MSDF's Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture. The MSDF has grounded P-1 patrol planes deployed at the base due to engine problems, Defense Ministry sources said on June 20, 2013.

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Japan's antipiracy patrol in Gulf of Aden

TOKYO, Japan - The pilot of a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol aircraft observes the scene in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on July 9, 2012, during antipiracy operations. To the lower left is the MSDF's escort vessel Sawagiri.

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Japan's antipiracy mission off Somalia

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - Photo taken from a P-3C patrol plane shows two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers heading for a mission to escort merchant and other civilian vessels in pirate-infested waters off Somalia from a port in Djibouti on July 8, 2011. The Japanese government has decided to extend the MSDF's antipiracy mission in East Africa, due to end July 23, by one year.

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Japan's antipiracy patrol flight over Gulf of Aden

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - A P-3C airplane of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force flies over the MSDF's destroyer Takanami on an antipiracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on Jan. 19, 2010. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan, U.S. mark 50th anniversary of signing of security treaty

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy hold a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the current security treaty between the two countries at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Jan. 19, 2010.

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Japan, U.S. mark 50th anniversary of signing of security treaty

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy hold a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the current security treaty between the two countries at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Jan. 19, 2010.

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - Crew members aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Mashuu stow away a refueling duct in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 15, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the same day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - Crew members aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Mashuu listen to an announcement in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 15, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the same day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - A crew member (2nd from R) salutes on the deck of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Mashuu in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 15, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the same day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - Crew members aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Mashuu stow away a refueling duct in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 15, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the same day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - The crew of the Japanese fleet support ship Mashuu prepare for the Maritime Self-Defense Force's last refueling operation in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 15, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the same day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - Crew members aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Mashuu watch as a Pakistan Navy vessel is refueled in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 15, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the same day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ikazuchi (back) approaches the fleet support ship Mashuu for refueling in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 14, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the following day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan ends Indian Ocean refueling mission

ABOARD THE MASHUU, Arabian Sea - Crew members aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Mashuu watch as the MSDF destroyer Ikazuchi is refueled in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 14, 2010. Japan ended the MSDF's refueling mission for foreign vessels involved in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations the following day. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Indian Ocean-Japan satellite phone keeps family united

TOKYO, Japan - A Maritime Self-Defense Force member talks with his family in Japan via a satellite phone from the deck of the MSDF's fleet support ship Tokiwa in waters off the coast of Somalia on June 5. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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MSDF's mission to be terminated if DPJ wins power: Hatoyama

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama stumps in Kumamoto on July 29 ahead of the Aug. 30 general election. Responding to reporters in Kumamoto Prefecture, Hatoyama said the main opposition party will terminate the antiterrorism refueling mission by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean in January, when the law for the mission expires, if it wins power in the general election.

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Japan sends patrol aircraft on antipiracy mission off Somalia

ATSUGI, Japan - Two Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C aircraft are sent off at Maritime Self-Defense Force's Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture on May 28 on an antipiracy mission off Somalia, marking the first overseas mission for the MSDF's patrol planes.

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MSDF, coast guard conduct joint antipiracy exercise in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel transport ''pirates'' (in gray clothes) in a drill off Hiroshima Prefecture on Feb. 20. Japan's MSDF and the Japan Coast Guard started a joint antipiracy exercise the same day at the MSDF's Kure base in the prefecture to prepare for a mission off Somalia to protect Japan-linked ships from pirates.

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MSDF, coast guard conduct joint antipiracy exercise in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - ''Pirates'' are held by Japan Coast Guard personnel in a drill off Hiroshima Prefecture on Feb. 20. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard started a joint antipiracy exercise the same day at the MSDF's Kure base in the prefecture to prepare for a mission off Somalia to protect Japan-linked ships from pirates.

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MSDF, coast guard conduct joint antipiracy exercise in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Takanami destroyer (top) approaches a coast guard patrol boat (below), which was playing the role of pirate ship in a drill off Hiroshima Prefecture on Feb. 20. Japan's MSDF and the Japan Coast Guard started a joint antipiracy exercise the same day at the MSDF's Kure base in the prefecture to prepare for a mission off Somalia to protect Japan-linked ships from pirates.

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Aegis destroyer examined by marine accident inquiry officials

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Marine Accident Inquiry Agency officials examine the Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer Atago alongside the quay at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Feb. 19 after the destroyer collided with a small fishing boat earlier in the day in the Pacific off the coast of Chiba Prefecture. The boat capsized, leaving its two crew members missing.

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Ex-MSDF officer denies organized refueling data coverup

TOKYO, Japan - Masayoshi Teraoka (C), a retired senior Maritime Self-Defense Force officer, leaves a closed-door session of the House of Representatives committee on antiterrorism and Iraq reconstruction affairs on Nov. 7. Teraoka denied an organized coverup of the MSDF's mishandling of refueling data in 2003 in testimony at the session.

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Police raid MSDF school over Aegis info leak

TOKYO, Japan - The Kanagawa prefectural police and the Maritime Self-Defense Force police search the MSDF's First Service School in Etajima (photo), Hiroshima Prefecture, on May 19 over an information leakage case involving highly confidential data on the Aegis defense system.