Latest news with #JapanSelf-DefenseForces
Nikkei Asia
22-05-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Japan's Fujitsu to supply Lockheed Martin with radar components
TOKYO -- Japanese tech company Fujitsu will make core power supply components for Lockheed Martin's SPY7 radar system, the companies announced Thursday, in a move to help expand Japan's defense industry. The SPY7 system, which contains over 1,200 power supply components, will be installed in a Japan Self-Defense Forces Aegis-equipped vessel in 2027 and another in 2028. The initial systems will contain Lockheed-made power supply components, with replacements parts to be made by Fujitsu.
Yomiuri Shimbun
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan, India Agree to Boost Defense Cooperation;Defense Ministers Nakatani, Singh Meet in New Delhi
Takanori Nakada/The Yomiuri Shimbun Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, right, and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh shake hands ahead of their bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Monday. NEW DELHI — Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh have agreed in New Delhi to enhance defense cooperation between Japan and India during Nakatani's visit to the Indian capital. In a roughly 90-minute discussion on Monday, the two ministers, who concurred on enhancing defense collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region, also agreed to work toward establishing a consultation body between their respective defense authorities for the coordination and management of this cooperation. During the meeting, Nakatani said, in light of China's growing assertiveness, that 'given our shared principles of pursuing a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law, it is increasingly important for both countries to cooperate and strengthen their coordination.' Singh underscored the need to promote military cooperation in the face of emerging challenges to the global order. As concrete defense cooperation, they agreed to enhance bilateral joint exercises and to collaborate on the protection of maritime traffic, including anti-piracy measures, with the aim of ensuring the security of sea-lanes. This envisioned consultation body will be responsible for adjusting and managing coordination between the respective defense authorities. It is anticipated that it will be overseen by an official from the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces at the vice chief or department head level. Nakatani's call for stronger security cooperation at the defense ministerial meeting stems from the critical need to collaborate with India to counter China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific. 'The situation surrounding Japan and India is rapidly growing more complex and uncertain,' Nakatani urgently stated during the meeting, emphasizing the necessity for both countries to join forces. Singh echoed this sentiment, expressing his confidence that the cooperative relationship between Japan and India would reach unprecedented levels. Both Japan and India face similar threats from China. Specifically, Chinese government vessels have repeatedly intruded into Japanese territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and a Chinese Coast Guard helicopter violated Japanese airspace near those islands on Saturday. In the Indian Ocean, China has been sending marine research vessels, creating new friction with India, which has ongoing border disputes with China. During the meeting, Nakatani reiterated that Japan-India security cooperation should be deepened as 'Japan-India defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.' While advancing cooperation with India within the Quad framework, which includes the United States and Australia, Japan also aims to simultaneously strengthen bilateral ties with India based on shared values and principles. Singh welcomed this and stated his desire to discuss the specifics in detail. Cooperation between Japan and India, such as information sharing, is expected to advance toward ensuring the security of sea-lanes. 'If India can deter China on the opposite side of the Indo-Pacific, it will also contribute to Japan's security,' a senior Defense Ministry official said. Yet, India also maintains a nonaligned foreign policy, avoiding alignment with any particular camp, and it is a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies, which includes China. Japan aims to draw India closer by building a strong track record in defense equipment and technology cooperation. At this meeting, both sides agreed that Japan would consider exporting aircraft and tank engines, among other items.
Japan Forward
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Strengthen Defenses Off Hokkaido Against Russia's Intimidation
Even as it continues its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is also stepping up its military activities around the Northern Territories. The group of islands is located off the northeast coast of Hokkaido. On April 16, Russia issued a navigation warning announcing that it would suspend the right of innocent passage for ships from various countries in waters east of Hokkaido, which includes the Northern Territories, until the end of April. Russia later announced that its military would be conducting live fire exercises in roughly the same area from April 17 to April 24. Both acts constituted lawless behavior that violated Japan's sovereignty, as the Northern Territories are inherently part of Japanese territory. It was only natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi protested, "Russia's military buildup in the Northern Territories is contrary to our country's position and is unacceptable." The area designated by Russia for the live fire exercises is just a stone's throw from Hokkaido. It encompasses the waters surrounding three of the four islands of the Northern Territories, namely Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets. A defense ministry official says, "We haven't seen such a wide-ranging exercise announced in such close proximity to Japan in recent years." Russia has not published details about the live fire exercises. However, on April 19, Fuji TV aired footage showing a large ship that appeared to be a Ropucha -class large landing ship capable of landing tanks, anchored in front of Kunashiri. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin's regime also redeployed ground forces that had been stationed in the Northern Territories to fight in Ukraine. Experts believe that Russia intends to use the current exercises to demonstrate that its naval power is still strong. The Northern Territories On April 17, Russia protested the missile launch drills scheduled to be conducted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Hokkaido in June 2025, labeling them a "provocative military plan." The Kremlin appears to be using the JSDF training exercise as a pretext for holding its own live-fire drills — without any legitimate justification. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea recognizes the right of innocent passage through the territorial waters of other countries, provided it does not threaten the security of the coastal state through armed attack or intimidation. While a coastal state may temporarily suspend innocent passage if deemed essential to its national security, this does not apply in Russia's case. Russia's suspension of innocent passage is therefore unjustified. Its intent is to conduct live-fire exercises in territory that inherently belongs to Japan but has been illegally occupied by Russia. Russia also conducted live-fire exercises for about a month in the waters off Shikotan Island, starting in January 2025. Additionally, it held military drills in the Northern Territories during a memorial service at sea for former residents of the Habomai Islands in September 2024. Similar exercises were also conducted during the US presidential election in November 2024. Furthermore, Russia has carried out a series of joint naval and air exercises with China in the vicinity of Japan. May 9 marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. There is concern that Russia may use that occasion to join with China to attempt military intimidation of Japan. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other Japanese leaders must step up their vigilance and strengthen Japan's northern defenses. (Read the editorial in Japanese .) Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
The Mainichi
26-04-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
PFAS levels found to exceed gov't cap in 22 of Japan's 47 prefectures
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Potentially harmful PFAS chemicals have been detected at high levels in rivers and groundwater across 22 of Japan's 47 prefectures, a government survey conducted in fiscal 2023 showed Friday. The survey, which covered approximately 2,000 sites in 39 prefectures, found that PFAS levels exceeded the government's provisional cap of 50 nanograms per liter in 242 locations. The highest level was detected in groundwater in Settsu, Osaka Prefecture, at 26,000 nanograms per liter, or 520 times the upper target. PFAS is a general term for a group of over 10,000 artificial chemicals that include PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. They are used in various products, such as frying pan coatings and water-repellent clothing. There is currently no concrete evidence of adverse health impacts from PFAS, although some researchers have warned of potential effects, including an increased risk of cancer. Of the 242 sites where high PFAS levels were found, 42 sites across nine prefectures showed levels above the provisional cap for the first time and 97 locations had previously exceeded the cap and remain under monitoring, while 103 sites were those close to locations which exceeded the cap in past surveys and monitored to identify the extent of past contamination. PFAS contamination is frequently detected near factories, U.S. military bases, and Japan Self-Defense Forces facilities. The Environment Ministry, however, has not disclosed the specific testing sites. Local governments have identified the source of contamination in only four cases, including Kibichuo, a town in Okayama Prefecture, where disposed activated carbon was determined to be the cause. At sites where the polluted water had been used for drinking, authorities have already taken measures such as switching water sources or restricting consumption. Other areas where high levels were detected included groundwater in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, at 15,000 nanograms per liter, a river in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, at 4,600 nanograms, and groundwater in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, at 2,200 nanograms. The data was compiled based on studies conducted by the ministry as well as local government-led investigations. Eight prefectures did not provide responses to the voluntary survey. While high PFAS levels were detected in 111 sites across 16 prefectures in the previous study in fiscal 2022, the ministry noted that direct comparison was difficult due to differing survey conditions.
Japan Today
25-04-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
PFAS levels found to exceed gov't cap in 22 of Japan's 47 prefectures
Potentially harmful PFAS chemicals have been detected at high levels in rivers and groundwater across 22 of Japan's 47 prefectures, a government survey conducted in fiscal 2023 showed Friday. The survey, which covered approximately 2,000 sites in 39 prefectures, found that PFAS levels exceeded the government's provisional cap of 50 nanograms per liter in 242 locations. The highest level was detected in groundwater in Settsu, Osaka Prefecture, at 26,000 nanograms per liter, or 520 times the upper target. PFAS is a general term for a group of over 10,000 artificial chemicals that include PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. They are used in various products, such as frying pan coatings and water-repellent clothing. There is currently no concrete evidence of adverse health impacts from PFAS, although some researchers have warned of potential effects, including an increased risk of cancer. Of the 242 sites where high PFAS levels were found, 42 sites across nine prefectures showed levels above the provisional cap for the first time and 97 locations had previously exceeded the cap and remain under monitoring, while 103 sites were those close to locations which exceeded the cap in past surveys and monitored to identify the extent of past contamination. PFAS contamination is frequently detected near factories, U.S. military bases, and Japan Self-Defense Forces facilities. The Environment Ministry, however, has not disclosed the specific testing sites. Local governments have identified the source of contamination in only four cases, including Kibichuo, a town in Okayama Prefecture, where disposed activated carbon was determined to be the cause. At sites where the polluted water had been used for drinking, authorities have already taken measures such as switching water sources or restricting consumption. Other areas where high levels were detected included groundwater in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, at 15,000 nanograms per liter, a river in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, at 4,600 nanograms, and groundwater in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, at 2,200 nanograms. The data was compiled based on studies conducted by the ministry as well as local government-led investigations. Eight prefectures did not provide responses to the voluntary survey. While high PFAS levels were detected in 111 sites across 16 prefectures in the previous study in fiscal 2022, the ministry noted that direct comparison was difficult due to differing survey conditions. © KYODO
