MSDF destroyer visits Philippine port

MSDF destroyer visits Philippine port

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ise is anchored at a port in Subic on Luzon Island in the Philippines on Sept. 21, 2026. The vessel will take part in an eight-country joint exercise in the area Sept. 23-24.

MSDF destroyer visits Philippine port

MSDF destroyer visits Philippine port

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ise is anchored at a port in Subic on Luzon Island in the Philippines on Sept. 21, 2026. The vessel will take part in an eight-country joint exercise in the area Sept. 23-24.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at his ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2026, after North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan earlier in the day.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at his ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2026, after North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan earlier 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 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.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il delivers a speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 17, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il delivers a speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 17, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il is pictured ahead of his speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 17, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il (C) is pictured during the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il attends the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun (front, C) attends the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun (R) shakes hands with a participant at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun delivers a keynote speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun delivers a keynote speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Japan Diet group urges gov't action on U.S. sanctions on ICC chief

Japan Diet group urges gov't action on U.S. sanctions on ICC chief

Former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (2nd from L), co-head of a cross-party parliamentary group promoting human rights diplomacy, and its members are pictured after submitting a statement to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (2nd from R) in Tokyo on Sept. 15, 2026, urging the Japanese government to demand the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump immediately withdraw its sanctions on International Criminal Court head Tomoko Akane. The move came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the U.S. action as "very unfortunate," prompting criticism that Tokyo's response was weak.

Japan Diet group urges gov't action on U.S. sanctions on ICC chief

Japan Diet group urges gov't action on U.S. sanctions on ICC chief

Former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (2nd from R), co-head of a cross-party parliamentary group promoting human rights diplomacy, submits a statement to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) in Tokyo on Sept. 15, 2026, urging the Japanese government to demand the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump immediately withdraw its sanctions on International Criminal Court head Tomoko Akane. The move comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the U.S. action as "very unfortunate," prompting criticism that Tokyo's response was weak.

Japan Diet group urges gov't action on U.S. sanctions on ICC chief

Japan Diet group urges gov't action on U.S. sanctions on ICC chief

Former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (7th from L), co-head of a cross-party parliamentary group promoting human rights diplomacy, and its members are pictured after submitting a statement to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (8th from L) in Tokyo on Sept. 15, 2026, urging the Japanese government to demand the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump immediately withdraw its sanctions on International Criminal Court head Tomoko Akane. The move came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the U.S. action as "very unfortunate," prompting criticism that Tokyo's response was weak.

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.

Japan, U.S., S. Korea hold East China Sea drill

Japan, U.S., S. Korea hold East China Sea drill

Japanese Defense Ministry Joint Staff Operations Department chief Yoshiyasu Ishimaki (L) and U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost (C) speak to reporters at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on Sept. 7, 2026, as Japan, the United States and South Korea launch a trilateral multidomain exercise in the East China Sea.

Japan, U.S., S. Korea hold East China Sea drill

Japan, U.S., S. Korea hold East China Sea drill

Japanese Defense Ministry Joint Staff Operations Department chief Yoshiyasu Ishimaki (L) and U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost (C) speak to reporters at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on Sept. 7, 2026, as Japan, the United States and South Korea launch a trilateral multidomain exercise in the East China Sea.

Japan, U.S., S. Korea hold East China Sea drill

Japan, U.S., S. Korea hold East China Sea drill

Japanese Defense Ministry Joint Staff Operations Department chief Yoshiyasu Ishimaki (L) and U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost (C) speak to reporters at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on Sept. 7, 2026, as Japan, the United States and South Korea launch a trilateral multidomain exercise in the East China Sea.

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.

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi at press conference

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi at press conference

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference at a parliament building in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2026.

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi at press conference

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi at press conference

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference at a parliament building in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2026.

[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.