Japan Defense Ministry ends Self-Defense Forces review ceremonies
The ministry announced on Wednesday that the reviews will not take place unless the security environment surrounding Japan changes significantly.
The ministry noted that the country's current security situation is the most severe and complex since the end of World War Two. It pointed to the need to reduce the burden on SDF personnel and focus more on monitoring and other activities to maintain a fully prepared defense posture.
The ministry held the reviews every autumn, with the prime minister in attendance, to display the results of the SDF's regular training. The events, hosted in turn by the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces brought together units and equipment from across the country.
The events were scaled down in fiscal 2020 onward to ease the workloads of SDF units.
The ministry plans to organize other types of event, such as equipment exhibitions and flight experience programs, in various locations to deepen public understanding of the SDF's activities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
Japanese lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine to mark end of WWII
Dozens of Japanese lawmakers visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Friday, the day Japan marks the end of World War Two. Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after the war. Fifty-two lawmakers from a nonpartisan group visited the shrine, as well as all the Diet members of the opposition party Sanseito. Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu and Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro also paid visits. Koizumi told reporters that it is important to show respect to people who gave their lives for the country. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru did not visit in person, but made a private cash offering in his capacity as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. As Japan marks 80 years since the end of the war, Ishiba expressed his hope to release a message in September or afterward. His message is expected to follow the historical perceptions of previous Cabinets, while focusing on analysis on why the war happened, and elucidating a path for peace.
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
S.Korea, China comment on 80th anniversary of WWII end
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has underscored his resolve to promote cooperation with Japan, calling it an "indispensable partner for economic development." Lee delivered a speech on Friday at a ceremony in Seoul to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonial rule. Lee noted this year is also the 60th anniversary of the normalization of relations with Japan. He said it was time to squarely face the past, while wisely stepping forward into the future. He said South Korea will be guided by the principle of engaging in pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests. Based on this, he said he will seek forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan by holding frank dialogues through "shuttle diplomacy," a term that refers to reciprocal visits by the two countries' leaders. Lee also expressed hope that the Japanese government will squarely face up to the painful history between the two countries and strive to maintain trust between them. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has responded with "disappointment and regret" to visits by Japanese lawmakers to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Friday. Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after World War Two. Cabinet ministers were among the lawmakers who paid visits. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru did not go but made a private cash offering in his capacity as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party. In its statement, the South Korean government expressed "deep disappointment and regret over the fact that responsible leaders of Japan have once again sent offerings to and paid respects at the Yasukuni Shrine which glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals." Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated China's position regarding historical issues between Japan and China. Wang spoke to reporters in the southern province of Yunnan on Friday as Japan marked 80 years since the end of World War Two. The minister called it a war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists that brought grave disaster not only to the people of China and other Asian nations but also hurt the Japanese people themselves. Wang noted that even today, some forces in Japan are trying to glorify the invasion, distort history and rewrite it. He said that such actions are shameful and demeaning. He added that only those who squarely face up to history can be respected and urged Japan to make the right choice.
NHK
3 hours ago
- NHK
India PM Modi expresses defiance against US tariff policy
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to protect his country's farmers in the face of high tariffs announced by the administration of US President Donald Trump. Modi made the pledge in a speech delivered at an Independence Day ceremony in the capital, New Delhi, on Friday. The US announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian exports, citing the country's purchase of crude oil and other products from Russia. Modi said that farmers and fishermen are top priorities of his government. In an apparent show of defiance against the tariffs, he said he will stand tall like a wall against any policies that threaten their interests. Modi also touched on the brief military conflict that erupted between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir in May. He said the Indian army attacked hundreds of kilometers into enemy territory and turned terrorist bases into rubble. He warned Pakistan that if any unforeseen incidents occur in the future, India will decide what kind of punishments to impose.
