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SWEDISH ROYAL STATE VISIT TO CANADA

King Carl Gustaf, Éric Martel, CEO Bombardier, Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson and David Murray, Executive Vice President Bombardier, visit Bombardier Aerospace in Montreal, Canada, during the ongoing state visit on Thursday, November 20, 2025.Photo: Jonas Ekströmer / TT / Code 10030

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Trump Hosts a Bilateral Lunce with PM Orban of Hungary

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) speaks as Vice President JD Vance (R) looks on during a bilateral lunch with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban and US President Donald J Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on Friday, November 7, 2025. Credit: Aaron Schwartz / Pool via CNP

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Japan's Vice Defense Minister Oniki in Seoul

Japan's Vice Defense Minister Makoto Oniki (R) shakes hands with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun during their meeting in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2024.

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Japan's Vice Defense Minister Oniki in Seoul

Japan's Vice Defense Minister Makoto Oniki (R) shakes hands with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun during their meeting in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2024.

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Okinawa protests gov't not sharing U.S. troop sex crime cases

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki (L) hands a protest statement to Japanese senior vice defense minister Makoto Oniki at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on July 3, 2024, for not sharing information about cases of U.S. military personnel accused of committing sexual crimes in the southern Japan island prefecture.

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-"2+2" TALKS-CHINA

(240620) -- SEOUL, June 20, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (2nd L) and Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission Zhang Baoqun (1st L), and South Korea's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun (2nd R) and Director General of International Policy Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense Lee Seung-buhm, pose for a group photo prior to the first vice-ministerial level diplomatic and security "2+2" talks between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. The talks were held here on Tuesday. Both sides briefed each other of their respective foreign and security policies and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-ROK relations and international and regional issues of common concern. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Yao Qilin)

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-"2+2" TALKS-CHINA

(240620) -- SEOUL, June 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (2nd L) and Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission Zhang Baoqun (1st L), and South Korea's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun (2nd R) and Director General of International Policy Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense Lee Seung-buhm, pose for a group photo prior to the first vice-ministerial level diplomatic and security "2+2" talks between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. The talks were held here on Tuesday. Both sides briefed each other of their respective foreign and security policies and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-ROK relations and international and regional issues of common concern. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

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Spain -Turkey Business Meeting - Madrid

The President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (c), greets the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Diaz (1r), upon his arrival for a meeting with the President of the Government, at the Moncloa complex, June 13, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, receives the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Moncloa, before the two presided over the 8th Spain-Turkey high-level meeting (RAN). With this eighth bilateral summit, the two leaders seek to reaffirm the comprehensive partnership between Spain and France and give a new impetus to trade relations, which have clearly increased in recent years. The summit is accompanied by a business forum and a defense industry meeting. Photo by E. Parra/Pool/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Spain -Turkey Business Meeting - Madrid

The President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (c), greets the Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition (5r), upon his arrival for a meeting with the President of the Government, at the Moncloa complex, June 13, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, receives the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Moncloa, before the two presided over the 8th Spain-Turkey high-level meeting (RAN). With this eighth bilateral summit, the two leaders seek to reaffirm the comprehensive partnership between Spain and France and give a new impetus to trade relations, which have clearly increased in recent years. The summit is accompanied by a business forum and a defense industry meeting. Photo by E. Parra/Pool/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Prabowo Subianto wins 2024 Indonesian presidential election

STORY: Prabowo Subianto wins 2024 Indonesian presidential election SHOOTING TIME: Archives/March 20, 2024 DATELINE: March 21, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:29 LOCATION: Jakarta CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the General Election Commission 2. various of the press conference that announces the presidential election result 3. earlier footage of Prabowo Subianto (February 2024) 4. earlier footage of Gibran Rakabuming Raka (February 2024) STORYLINE: Presidential and vice-presidential candidate pair Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka won Indonesia's 2024 presidential election, the country's General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Wednesday. According to the official counts released by KPU, Prabowo-Gibran received 96,214,691 votes, beating the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar pair who got 40,971,906 votes, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD who obtained 27,040,878 votes. Prabowo is the current defense minister while Gibran is the mayor of Solo and the first son of the incumbent President Joko

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Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

Kazuo Masuda (5th from R), administrative vice-minister of defense, gives a speech during a ceremony to award a Self-Defense Forces flag to the "Jingei," a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine, at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan on March 8, 2024. The submarine will be deployed to the MSDF Yokosuka Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.

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Japanese evacuees from Sudan

Japanese Senior Vice Foreign Minister Shunsuke Takei (far L) talks to evacuees from conflict-torn Sudan upon their arrival at a Japan Self-Defense Forces base in Djibouti on April 24, 2023. An SDF plane transported 45 Japanese from Port Sudan in the country's northeast the same day.

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Ireland Deputy Prime Minister Press Conference in Colombia

Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Micheal Martin (L) and Colombia's vice-chancellor Francisco Coy (R), during a press conference at Bogota's San Carlos Palace on January 11, 2023. The deputy prime minister visited Colombia after marking 25 years of diplomatic ties between Colombia and Ireland, the deputy prime minister expressed support for President Gustavo Petro's peace process, and speaked about the israel-hamas war and the escalation of violence in Ecuador. Photo by: Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Ireland Deputy Prime Minister Press Conference in Colombia

Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Micheal Martin (L) and Colombia's vice-chancellor Francisco Coy (R), during a press conference at Bogota's San Carlos Palace on January 11, 2023. The deputy prime minister visited Colombia after marking 25 years of diplomatic ties between Colombia and Ireland, the deputy prime minister expressed support for President Gustavo Petro's peace process, and speaked about the israel-hamas war and the escalation of violence in Ecuador. Photo by: Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China, S. Korea hold ceremony to transfer remains of Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War

STORY: China, S. Korea hold ceremony to transfer remains of Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 23, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:44 LOCATION: INCHEON, South Korea CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony STORYLINE: China and South Korea held a ceremony on Thursday to transfer the remains and belongings of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War. The 10th handover ceremony was held at the Incheon International Airport, west of the capital Seoul, attended by Chinese Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Chang Zhengguo, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming and South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho as well as officials with relevant ministries. During the ceremony, representatives of China and South Korea signed a handover document. Xing covered the coffins of the martyrs with China's national flags, and the Chinese side held a memorial service. The Chinese honor guards escorted the coffins to an air force plane, which would

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Remains of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War casketed in S. Korea

STORY: Remains of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War casketed in S. Korea SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 22, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:39 LOCATION: INCHEON, South Korea CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony 2. various of the remains of Chinese soldiers STORYLINE: The remains of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War were casketed in South Korea on Wednesday to be sent back to their homeland. The ceremony to lay the 25 remains in coffins was held in Incheon, west of the capital Seoul. The Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Chang Zhengguo, officials with the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, representatives of Chinese students and Chinese companies in South Korea as well as officials with the South Korean Defense Ministry and personnel responsible for the excavation and identification of the remains attended the ceremony. A flower basket was laid at a temporary settlement for the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) mart

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Japan's ruling LDP Vice President Aso in Canberra

Taro Aso (L), vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles shake hands in the Australian capital Canberra on Nov. 13, 2023.

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Demonstration In Support Of Palestine - Madrid

(L-R) Acting Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, Ione Belarra during the demonstration in support of Palestine, on October 29, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. Different political and social organizations in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in defense of Human Rights, among them UGT and politicians such as the second vice-president of the Government have participated in the mobilization in order to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate cessation of military actions against the civilian population, in addition to the end of the humanitarian blockade and basic supplies. The protest is entitled 'Solidarity with Palestine', and is being held to support Palestine in the face of Israel's response to the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7. Photo by Matias Chiofalo / Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Demonstration In Support Of Palestine - Madrid

The second vice-president of the Government and acting Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz (c), participates in the demonstration in support of Palestine, on October 29, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. Different political and social organizations in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in defense of Human Rights, among them UGT and politicians such as the second vice-president of the Government have participated in the mobilization in order to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate cessation of military actions against the civilian population, in addition to the end of the humanitarian blockade and basic supplies. The protest is entitled 'Solidarity with Palestine', and is being held to support Palestine in the face of Israel's response to the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7. Photo by Matias Chiofalo / Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Demonstration In Support Of Palestine - Madrid

The second vice-president of the Government and acting Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz, gives statements to the media during the demonstration in support of Palestine, on October 29, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. Different political and social organizations in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in defense of Human Rights, among them UGT and politicians such as the second vice-president of the Government have participated in the mobilization in order to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate cessation of military actions against the civilian population, in addition to the end of the humanitarian blockade and basic supplies. The protest is entitled 'Solidarity with Palestine', and is being held to support Palestine in the face of Israel's response to the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7. Photo by Matias Chiofalo / Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Demonstration In Support Of Palestine - Madrid

The second vice-president of the Government and acting Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz, gives statements to the media during the demonstration in support of Palestine, on October 29, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. Different political and social organizations in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in defense of Human Rights, among them UGT and politicians such as the second vice-president of the Government have participated in the mobilization in order to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate cessation of military actions against the civilian population, in addition to the end of the humanitarian blockade and basic supplies. The protest is entitled 'Solidarity with Palestine', and is being held to support Palestine in the face of Israel's response to the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7. Photo by Matias Chiofalo / Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Demonstration In Support Of Palestine - Madrid

The second vice-president of the Government and acting Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz, participates in the demonstration in support of Palestine, on October 29, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. Different political and social organizations in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in defense of Human Rights, among them UGT and politicians such as the second vice-president of the Government have participated in the mobilization in order to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate cessation of military actions against the civilian population, in addition to the end of the humanitarian blockade and basic supplies. The protest is entitled 'Solidarity with Palestine', and is being held to support Palestine in the face of Israel's response to the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7. Photo by Matias Chiofalo / Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Spain Begins Its Presidency of the EU Council - Madrid

(L-R) The Fourth Vice President and Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera; the First Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, who is chairing the meeting; the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and European Union, José Manuel Albares, and the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, during the plenary meeting of the Spanish Government and the College of Commissioners, at the Royal Collections Museum, on July 3, 2023, in Madrid (Spain). On Saturday, July 1, Spain took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it will hold for six months after Sweden handed over the baton. The next six months is the last stretch of the European institutional cycle before the appointment of a new Commission after the elections to the European Parliament, to be held in May 2024. It will be t

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State Dinner Honoring Indian PM Modi - Washington

Philip Gordon, right, Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, and Mrs. Rachel Gordon, arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Biden and Modi announced a series of defense and commercial deals designed to improve military and economic ties between their nations during a state visit at the White House today. Photo by Ting Shen/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

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President Biden Hosts India Prime Minister Modi For State Visit

Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., left, and Lisa Jackson, vice president of environment and social initiatives at Apple Inc., arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Biden and Modi announced a series of defense and commercial deals designed to improve military and economic ties between their nations during a state visit at the White House today. Photo by Ting Shen/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

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President Biden Hosts India Prime Minister Modi For State Visit

Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., left, and Lisa Jackson, vice president of environment and social initiatives at Apple Inc., arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Biden and Modi announced a series of defense and commercial deals designed to improve military and economic ties between their nations during a state visit at the White House today. Photo by Ting Shen/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Türkiye's re-elected Erdogan announces major reshuffle in new cabinet

STORY: Türkiye's re-elected Erdogan announces major reshuffle in new cabinet DATELINE: June 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (courtesy of ihlas news agency) STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday a major reshuffle in his cabinet, appointing new ministers for foreign affairs, treasury and finance, defense and vice president. Hakan Fidan, who has been at the helm of the National Intelligence Organization since 2010, assumes the role of foreign minister. The 55-year-old new top diplomat is considered one of Erdogan's closest confidants. The new treasury and finance minister is Mehmet Simsek, who served as finance minister and deputy prime minister from 2009 to 2018. Simsek is a respected economist who is seen as a safe pair of hands in the turbulent Turkish economy. Yasar Guler, who previously served as the chief of general staff and is seen as a hardli

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Ceremony for New Colombian Police Director William Rene Salamanca

Colombian vice-president Francia Marquez (L) President Gustavo Petro (C) and defense minister Ivan Velasquez (R) during the ceremony of the new Colombian Police Director William Rene Salamanca at the General Santander Police Academy in Bogota, Colombia. May 9, 2023. Photo by: Chepa Beltran/Long Visual Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Japanese in Sudan evacuated by SDF plane

Japanese Senior Vice Foreign Minister Shunsuke Takei meets the press in Djibouti on April 24, 2023, after arriving in the African country to meet Japanese evacuees from conflict-torn Sudan. A Japan Self-Defense Forces plane transported 45 Japanese from Port Sudan in the country's northeast the same day.

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Cambodia, China joint military exercise concludes successfully

STORY: Cambodia, China joint military exercise concludes successfully DATELINE: April 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:33 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of military exercises STORYLINE: Cambodia and China have successfully concluded the fifth edition of joint military exercise "Golden Dragon 2023" at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Center here. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh and Vice Admiral Wei Wenhui, deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian attended the closing ceremony on Wednesday. Speaking at the event, Banh said the joint exercise had come to a successful end, with fruitful results for the relations between the countries and armies. "This joint exercise has strengthened the capacities of the two militaries, further enhanced the spirit of solidarity, traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples, and contributed

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Major quakes jolt Syria, Türkiye, causing heavy casualties

STORY: Major quakes jolt Syria, Türkiye, causing heavy casualties DATELINE: Feb. 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Ankara/Damascus CATEGORY: OTHERS SHOTLIST: 1. various of earthquake scenes in Syria 2. various of earthquake scenes in Türkiye STORYLINE: Major earthquakes rocked southern Türkiye and northern Syria on Monday, causing heavy casualties. According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 912 people have been killed. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said earlier that two strong earthquakes jolted Türkiye early Monday. At least 78 successive earthquakes were recorded with a maximum magnitude of 6.6. Damage was reported in at least 10 provinces in southern and southeastern Türkiye. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu has announced a fourth-level alert which includes international assistance. In Syria, the country's health ministry announced a death toll of at least 326 and 1,042 injuries in four provinces. The Syrian Ministry of Defense has put all its units on high alert to help th

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Outgoing Koike defends self in personnel feuds at Defense Ministry

TOKYO, Japan - Outgoing Defense Minister Yuriko Koike listens to a media question at a press conference at the Defense Ministry on Aug. 27. ''Case closed,'' Koike said, referring to a recent intra-government argument about the appointment of the vice defense minister.

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Defense Ministry career official Masuda to become vice minister

TOKYO, Japan - Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya (L) keeps mum as he leaves the Defense Ministry on Aug. 17. The government has picked Defense Ministry career official Kohei Masuda to succeed Moriya as vice minister, putting an end to a 10-day commotion over the ministry's top personnel reshuffle.

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Defense Ministry career official Masuda to become vice minister

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Minister Yuriko Koike talks to journalists at her ministry on Aug. 17 after the government picked Defense Ministry career official Kohei Masuda to succeed Takemasa Moriya as vice minister, putting an end to a 10-day commotion over the ministry's top personnel reshuffle.

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2 trainer aircraft on lease from Japan delivered to Philippines

CAVITE, Philippines, March 27 Kyodo - Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (4th from L) and Kenji Wakamiya (3rd from L), Japanese senior vice defense minister, shake hands during a ceremony in front of two TC-90 trainer aircraft at a naval base in Cavite Province, south of Manila, on March 27, 2017. Two of the five aircraft on lease from Japan for use in maritime patrols were formally received by the Philippines, with the planes set to serve under the Southeast Asian country's armed forces over the following five years.

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Japanese, S. Korean vice foreign ministers meet for talks

SEOUL, South Korea - Members of a South Korean civil group block a car carrying Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki, who met with Cho Tae Yong, South Korea's first vice foreign minister, on Dec. 29, 2014, in Seoul. The group was protesting over a memorandum of understanding signed by Japan, South Korea and the United States on sharing and safeguarding sensitive defense information.

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Malaysian defense minister talks with Chinese vice pres.

BEIJING, China - Visiting Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (L) talks with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao in Beijing on Nov. 20, 2014.

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Japan, S. Korea senior defense officials meet in Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea - Hideshi Tokuchi (L), vice minister for international affairs at the Japanese Defense Ministry, confers with South Korean Vice Defense Minister Baek Seung Joo (R) during the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Oct. 29, 2014.

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Defense Ministry seeks nod to Osprey deployment plan

SAGA, Japan - Akira Sato (extreme R), parliamentary senior vice minister of defense, meets Saga Mayor Toshiyuki Hideshima (2nd from L) in the southwestern Japan city on Oct. 5, 2014, to seek the municipal government's approval of a plan to deploy the Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft at Saga Airport.

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U.S. deputy defense chief Work

TOKYO, Japan - U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work (far L) holds talks with Japanese Senior Vice Defense Minister Ryota Takeda (far R) at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 22, 2014.

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U.S. deputy defense chief Work

TOKYO, Japan - U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work (L) shakes hands with Japanese Senior Vice Defense Minister Ryota Takeda ahead of their talks at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 22, 2014.

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Setouchi Town on Amami to accept GSDF unit

AMAMI, Japan - Katsuomi Fusa (2nd from R), mayor of Setouchi Town on Amami-Oshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, tells Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister of Defense Ryota Takeda (R in near row) of his decision to accept the deployment of a Japanese Ground Self-Defense unit to the area during a meeting at the town office on Aug. 12, 2014.

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Opposition DPJ lawmaker supports collective self-defense

WASHINGTON, United States - Former Japanese Vice Defense Minister Akihisa Nagashima of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) speaks at a U.S. think-tank symposium in Washington on July 22, 2014, in which he expressed support for the Cabinet's approval earlier in the month of a policy to allow the exercise of the right to collective self-defense.

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PM Abe answers questions from LDP's Komura

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (standing) answers questions from Masahiko Komura, vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, in Tokyo on July 14, 2014, during a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting to discuss the issue of the right to collective self-defense.

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Ruling bloc apart on collective self-defense

TOKYO, Japan - New Komeito party deputy chief Kazuo Kitagawa (L) attends a meeting with Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Masahiko Komura (C) and LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on June 17, 2014, to discuss the government's drive to lift Japan's self-imposed ban on collective self-defense. The government set out on the day its draft overview of a Cabinet decision that would enable Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense, but the ruling parties remained divided over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push for the major policy change.

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Japan vice defense minister visits Eurosatory

PARIS, France - Japan's Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister of Defense Ryota Takeda (R) holds a rubber gun at the Japanese pavilion at the Eurosatory defense and security exhibition in the suburbs of Paris on June 16, 2014.

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International defense fair

PARIS, France - Japanese Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister of Defense Ryota Takeda is pictured at the Japanese pavilion during his visit to the Eurosatory defense fair in Paris on June 16, 2014. Twelve Japanese companies are exhibiting mainly civilian products at the four-day fair that started the same day, the first time Japanese companies are participating in an international defense exhibition.

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Miyako island candidate site for JGSDF troop deployment

NAHA, Japan - Senior Defense Vice Minister Ryota Takeda (R) shakes hands with Mayor Toshihiko Shimoji of Miyako, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at the latter's office on June 12, 2014, after talks on the possible deployment of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops in the Okinawa archipelago to strengthen regional security. Takeda cited Miyako island as one of the candidate sites to host JGSDF troops.

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S. Korean vice defense minister meets foreign reporters

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean Vice Minister of National Defense Baek Seung Joo meets foreign reporters in Seoul on May 8, 2014, and speaks about North Korean issues including a possible fourth nuclear test by Pyongyang.

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Japan-ASEAN defense meeting

NAHA, Japan - Japanese Vice Defense Minister Masanori Nishi (C) reads out a message of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a defense vice ministerial meeting of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 18, 2014.