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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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: 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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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.

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: 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.

E

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.

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Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

Police officers stand guard 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.

E

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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China: Wild Monkey Climbs Into Tourist Car and Helps Itself to Snacks

A wild monkey climbed into a tourist’s car through an open window during a self-driving trip and calmly helped itself to snacks. Filmed on January 26, 2026, in Ya’an, Sichuan, the monkey showed no fear as it entered the vehicle and began rummaging for food while the surprised occupants watched. The clip ends with the monkey still inside, eating.

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Japan-U.S. Iron Fist joint exercise in Okinawa

Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military personnel salute during the opening ceremony of their Iron Fist joint exercise at U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Hansen in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Feb. 23, 2026.

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Japan-U.S. Iron Fist joint exercise in Okinawa

Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military personnel pose for a group photo after the opening ceremony of their Iron Fist joint exercise at U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Hansen in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Feb. 23, 2026.

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Japan: Self Defense Force Requested for Spreading Wildfire in Western Saitama

A wildfire that was initially contained after breaking out in Chichibu, western Saitama, on Wednesday, February 4, expanded to 40 hectares after reigniting Thursday night. The prefectural government was prompted to request the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces on Friday to combat the spreading blaze.

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) plays table tennis with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back following talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)