Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team creates a heart with smoke trails after flying over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team creates a heart with smoke trails after flying over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Blue Impulse

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later in the day.

Japan: Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse Marks Asian Games Kickoff

On Saturday, September 19, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force aerobatic team Blue Impulse conducted a flyover of Aichi Prefecture to mark the opening of the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on Sept. 16, 2026, shows a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel searching for a Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle with which contact was lost the previous day.

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 16, 2026, shows Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels searching for Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, with which contact was lost.

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 16, 2026, shows Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels searching for Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, with which contact was lost.

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Global Hawk crashes in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on Sept. 16, 2026, shows a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel searching for a Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle with which contact was lost the previous day.

New Zealand warship makes port call in Yokosuka

New Zealand warship makes port call in Yokosuka

New Zealand navy personnel pose for a photo with members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as the patrol vessel Te Mana makes a port call at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 8, 2026.

Nuclear power plant drill in Niigata

Nuclear power plant drill in Niigata

Residents get on board a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter in Kariwa, Niigata Prefecture, on Sept. 5, 2026, during a drill simulating a major earthquake and nuclear accident hitting Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant.

Nuclear power plant drill in Niigata

Nuclear power plant drill in Niigata

Residents get on board a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter in Kariwa, Niigata Prefecture, on Sept. 5, 2026, during a drill simulating a major earthquake and nuclear accident hitting Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant.

[Breaking News]Japan PM Takaichi, defense minister Koizumi

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 2 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi receive a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, as they meet senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Japan-France forces' joint drill

Japan-France forces' joint drill

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and France's army conduct a joint drill simulating a battle in an urban area at the Ojojihara training ground in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan-France forces' joint drill

Japan-France forces' joint drill

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and France's army conduct a joint drill simulating a battle in an urban area at the Ojojihara training ground in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan-France forces' joint drill

Japan-France forces' joint drill

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and France's army conduct a joint drill simulating a battle in an urban area at the Ojojihara training ground in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), alongside Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, attends a luncheon at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, after an annual meeting of senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a speech at a luncheon at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, after an annual meeting of senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a speech at a luncheon at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, after an annual meeting of senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Italian Navy vessel docks in Yokosuka

Italian Navy vessel docks in Yokosuka

The Giovanni delle Bande Nere, an Italian Navy multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel, makes a port call at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan defense minister speaks to senior members of SDF

Japan defense minister speaks to senior members of SDF

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi gives instructions to senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan defense minister speaks to senior members of SDF

Japan defense minister speaks to senior members of SDF

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi gives instructions to senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi, defense minister Koizumi

Japan PM Takaichi, defense minister Koizumi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi receive a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, as they meet senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi, defense minister Koizumi

Japan PM Takaichi, defense minister Koizumi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) receive a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, as they meet senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi speaks to senior members of SDF

Japan PM Takaichi speaks to senior members of SDF

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gives instructions to senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi speaks to senior members of SDF

Japan PM Takaichi speaks to senior members of SDF

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gives instructions to senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026.

Japan destroyer Chokai returns home

Japan destroyer Chokai returns home

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Chokai returns to its home port in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture on Aug. 30, 2026, after successfully conducting a live-fire test of a Tomahawk cruise missile off the U.S. coast.

Japan destroyer Chokai returns home

Japan destroyer Chokai returns home

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Chokai returns to its home port in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture on Aug. 30, 2026, after successfully conducting a live-fire test of a Tomahawk cruise missile off the U.S. coast.

Defense Minister Koizumi in quake-hit Kumamoto

Defense Minister Koizumi in quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (back, L) meets on Aug. 23, 2026, with Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel at a cultural center in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, who are assisting with the setting up of a public bath facility for people affected by a powerful earthquake that hit the region on July 28.

F-15 fighter stranded at Okinawa airport

F-15 fighter stranded at Okinawa airport

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2026, shows a stranded Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jet on a runway of Naha Airport in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The left main landing gear was found broken after the F-15 became immobilized following landing, leaving the runway, one of the two at the airport, closed. No one was injured in the incident.

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members are mobilized at JR Soga station in Chiba, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, to transport stranded people after railway operations were disrupted following torrential rain overnight.

Japan's antipiracy operations off Somalia

Japan's antipiracy operations off Somalia

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force unit holds a ceremony at the MSDF's Atsugi Air Base straddling Ayase and Yamato cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 9, 2026, ahead of the departure of the unit's P1 patrol aircraft for antipiracy operations off Somalia.

Japan's antipiracy operations off Somalia

Japan's antipiracy operations off Somalia

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P1 patrol aircraft is pictured at the MSDF's Atsugi Air Base straddling Ayase and Yamato cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 9, 2026, ahead of the plane's departure for antipiracy operations off Somalia.

U.S. military airlifts relief goods for quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

U.S. military airlifts relief goods for quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

A U.S. military KC-130 transport aircraft carrying relief supplies for people affected by a recent massive earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture arrives at the Takayubaru base of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in Mashiki in the southwestern Japan prefecture on Aug. 9, 2026.

U.S. military airlifts relief goods for quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

U.S. military airlifts relief goods for quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

A U.S. military KC-130 transport aircraft carrying relief supplies for people affected by a recent massive earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture arrives at the Takayubaru base of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in Mashiki in the southwestern Japan prefecture on Aug. 9, 2026.

U.S. military airlifts relief goods for quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

U.S. military airlifts relief goods for quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

A U.S. military KC-130 transport aircraft carrying relief supplies for people affected by a recent massive earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture arrives at the Takayubaru base of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in Mashiki in the southwestern Japan prefecture on Aug. 9, 2026.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026 shows the Kunisaki, a transport vessel of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, anchored at Yatsushiro Port in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture. The vessel is providing bathing and laundry support for people affected by a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28.

Indonesian frigate calls at Yokosuka

Indonesian frigate calls at Yokosuka

The Indonesian navy frigate I Gusti Ngurah Rai makes a goodwill visit to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026, where it will also replenish stores.

Indonesian frigate calls at Yokosuka

Indonesian frigate calls at Yokosuka

The Indonesian navy frigate I Gusti Ngurah Rai makes a goodwill visit to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026, where it will also replenish stores.

Japan-U.S.-Australia joint drill in Darwin

Japan-U.S.-Australia joint drill in Darwin

Photo shows a missile being loaded onto an F-35B stealth fighter during the Southern Cross exercise jointly hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force in Darwin, Australia, on July 9, 2026. Over 1,000 personnel from the three countries are taking part in the July 6-17 exercise to help strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan-U.S.-Australia joint drill in Darwin

Japan-U.S.-Australia joint drill in Darwin

Photo shows a missile being loaded onto an F-35 stealth fighter during the Southern Cross exercise jointly hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force in Darwin, Australia, on July 9, 2026. Over 1,000 personnel from the three countries are taking part in the July 6-17 exercise to help strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Protest for Tibet independence in front of U.N.

Protest for Tibet independence in front of U.N.

About 100 demonstrators protest in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 6, 2026, following the self-immolation of a Tibetan activist at the site on July 2, in an appeal for Tibetan independence.

Japan-U.S. drill to defend remote islands

Japan-U.S. drill to defend remote islands

Photo shows the U.S. Marine Corps' missile systems -- the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS (front), and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS -- at Camp Hansen in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on June 30, 2026, the final day of the Resolute Dragon Japan-U.S. joint defense drill. A total of 9,600 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Marine Corps personnel took part in the 11-day drill, conducted in Okinawa and the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to strengthen capabilities to defend remote islands.