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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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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Japan-Canada defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty in Tokyo on March 6, 2026.

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Boxing: Inoue to face Nakatani in May

Undisputed super bantamweight boxing champion Naoya Inoue of Japan speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 6, 2026, where he announced a title defense match against compatriot Junto Nakatani, a former unified bantamweight world champion, on May 2.

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Boxing: Inoue to face Nakatani in May

Undisputed super bantamweight boxing champion Naoya Inoue of Japan speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 6, 2026, where he announced a title defense match against compatriot Junto Nakatani, a former unified bantamweight world champion, on May 2.

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U.S Defense Secretary Hegseth meets press

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida, on March 5, 2026.

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U.S Defense Secretary Hegseth meets press

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon near Washington on March 4, 2026.

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U.S Defense Secretary Hegseth meets press

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon near Washington on March 4, 2026.

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UAE: Drone Intercepted in Ras Al Khaimah, No Injuries Reported

Ras Al Khaimah authorities said debris fell in Al Hamra Village on Monday morning after air defence systems intercepted an Iranian drone. No injuries were reported. Officials urged the public to rely on official sources and avoid spreading unverified information.

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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 Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue

Participants of a Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue pose for a group photo in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026, with host country Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi seen at the center. (Pool photo)

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Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue

Participants of a Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue pose for a group photo in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026, with host country Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi seen at the center. (Pool photo)

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Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi delivers his keynote speech at a Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi delivers his keynote speech at a Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-Tonga defense talks in Tokyo

Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala (C), who also serves as defense minister, hold talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-Tonga defense talks in Tokyo

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) hold talks with Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala, who also serves as defense minister, in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-Tonga defense talks in Tokyo

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala, who also serves as defense minister, in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-Tonga defense talks in Tokyo

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala, who also serves as defense minister, in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-Tonga defense talks in Tokyo

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala, who also serves as defense minister, before their talks in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Israel: Activists at Tel Aviv Defense Tech Expo Call for Arms Embargo

Activists staged a protest at the Defense Tech Expo 2026 in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, February 17. Demonstrators called for an arms embargo and held placards denouncing war profiteering as they gathered outside the international exhibition center.

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Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) chats with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) after casting a vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

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Japan defense minister in Munich

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) shakes hands with his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty at the outset of their talks in Munich on Feb. 13, 2026.

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Japan defense minister in Munich

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) shakes hands with his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty at the outset of their talks in Munich on Feb. 13, 2026.

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Japan defense minister in Munich

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference in Munich on Feb. 13, 2026.

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Japan's delivery of surveillance radar systems to Philippines

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo (R) shakes hands with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during a ceremony held in Manila on Feb. 11, 2026, following Japan's delivery of five coastal surveillance radar systems to the Philippine military. In November 2023, Japan agreed to provide grand-in-aid to the Philippines to finance the project.

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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)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

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

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (R) receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Ahn held talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi (L) the same day. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

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

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (2nd from R) holds talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back (2nd from R) at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026, ahead of their talks. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026, ahead of their talks. (Pool photo)

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Shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe sentenced to life

People protest outside the Nara District Court on Jan. 21, 2026, after Tetsuya Yamagami was sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in July 2022. Yamagami's defense sought a maximum 20-year term, citing harm from a religious group and his tragic upbringing.

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Shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe sentenced to life

People protest outside the Nara District Court on Jan. 21, 2026, after Tetsuya Yamagami was sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in July 2022. Yamagami's defense sought a maximum 20-year term, citing harm from a religious group and his tragic upbringing.

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VOLLEY - Serie A1 Femminile - Numia Vero Volley Milano vs Cuneo Granda Volley

Rebecca Piva (VeroVolley Milano) on defense during Volley Italian Championship Serie A Women 2025/26 match between Numia VeroVolley Milano and Honda Cuneo Granda Volley at Allianz Cloud, Milano, Italy on January 20, 2026 during Numia Vero Volley Milano vs Cuneo Granda Volley, Volleyball Italian Serie A1 Women match in Milan, Italy, January 20 2026

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Daily Life In Nuuk - Greenland

This photo taken on Jan. 15, 2026 shows the city center of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. Trump has accelerated his push to acquire the island. On Saturday, Trump announced that the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland, and raise the levy to 25 percent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory. Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM