Latest news with #Self-DefenseForces
9 hours ago
- Sport
Ex-Japanese Wrestler Hitomi Obara Dies at 44
News from Japan Sports Jul 19, 2025 22:47 (JST) Tokyo, July 19 (Jiji Press)--Former Japanese wrestler Hitomi Obara, who won the women's 48-kilogram wrestling gold in the 2012 London Olympics, died on Friday, informed sources said Saturday. She was 44. The cause of her death and other details are unknown. The native of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, joined the Self-Defense Forces after college. Obara once retired from wrestling, after failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She returned to competition in 2010 and achieved her long-held goal of winning an Olympic gold medal in London at age 31, in her first Olympic Games. Obara also won the World Championships eight times, including back-to-back titles in the 48-kg class in 2010 and 2011. Following the London Olympics, Obara retired from competition and focused on coaching younger wrestlers. In 2022, she was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame, alongside Kaori Icho and Saori Yoshida, both from Japan. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Editorial: Structural transformation needed to address Japan SDF's personnel shortage
The personnel shortage in Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) is severe. Not just temporary fixes but fundamental measures are needed to address this issue. The government's 2025 defense white paper has been released, with notable emphasis on strengthening human resources, including improvements in the treatment of SDF members. Securing personnel for the SDF remains difficult. In fiscal 2024, it was planned to recruit about 15,000 new members, but the actual number didn't even reach 10,000. Due to low recruitment, the personnel fill rate for the authorized strength of approximately 247,000 has dropped below 90% for the first time in 25 years. Many SDF members retire at the age of 56, earlier than general public servants. The white paper points to concerns about reemployment and income as factors for reduced recruitment. Recent incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment within the SDF may also have had an impact. The government has decided to raise the SDF's salary levels and expand support for reemployment after retirement. It is also considering increasing allowances to supplement wages at new jobs. Efforts to enforce discipline are also underway. Nevertheless, the personnel shortage is a structural issue in Japanese society, which continues to face declining birth rates. The organization must be reevaluated with this reality in mind. Japan's security environment is deteriorating due to China's maritime expansion, North Korea's nuclear and missile development and Russia's increased military activities. It is necessary to reassess the personnel distribution among the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces in response to changing threats. Adjustments to the staffing quota in line with the population decline must also be made. The introduction of new technologies is key to compensating for labor shortages in the SDF. Promoting unmanned systems across wide areas, including surveillance and transport, as well as expanding the use of artificial intelligence, is essential. In recent years, the importance of cyber defense has increased, necessitating the rapid acquisition of highly specialized personnel. There are plans to expand the specialized cyber defense unit to about 4,000 members by the end of fiscal 2027, but competition with the private sector for digital talent is expected. It is crucial to establish a personnel system to accelerate the development of specialized talent and recruitment from the private sector. The government plans to raise defense-related spending to 2% of Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) by fiscal 2027. However, no matter how advanced the equipment becomes, it could be rendered useless without adequate quantity and quality of personnel. Transforming the SDF to align with changes in the security environment and the times is necessary.
Asahi Shimbun
6 days ago
- General
- Asahi Shimbun
Unexploded WWII bomb removed from central Nagoya
An unexploded ordnance is secured in the back of a truck after the fuse was removed on July 13 in Nagoya's Naka Ward. (Tadashi Mizowaki) NAGOYA—An unexploded bomb found in Nagoya city's Marunouchi district that forced an evacuation of local residents was successfully removed and disposed of, the city government announced on July 13. The 250-kilogram incendiary bomb was made in the United States and was likely dropped during an air raid in World War II. Self-Defense Forces began removing the fuse at 10 a.m. that day, and the area was declared safe at 12:20 p.m. after the fuse was removed. According to the city, approximately 1,800 people were asked to evacuate from an approximately 200-meter radius of the site, and entry was restricted during the work. Twelve city buses running in the area were diverted. A 64-year-old company employee who evacuated to a nearby elementary school during the removal work said, 'I was reminded once again of how intense the air raid on Nagoya was 80 years ago.' Workers had discovered the unexploded ordnance 2 meters underground on June 10 while excavating the foundation for a 15-story condominium. A total of six unexploded bombs have been found in the city since last October, including this one. Of these, five were found at the same address in the Marunouchi district, and they were most likely incendiary bombs dropped by the U.S. military on March 19, 1945, due to their shape and other factors. In that air raid, 1,858 tons of bombs and incendiary bombs were dropped on the entire city, killing 826 people and damaging approximately 40,000 houses. (This article was written by Kento Matsushima and Tomoaki Ito.)
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Growth Ignited by Japan's Digital Transformation and Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals
Japan's Cyber Security Market is set to grow from USD 8.65 Billion in 2024 to USD 18.24 Billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 13.50%. Key drivers include government initiatives, increasing cyber threats, rapid digital transformation, and advances in AI and IoT security solutions. Japanese Cyber Security Market Dublin, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Japan Cyber Security Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Component (Hardware, Software), Security Type, Solution Type, Deployment, Organization Size, End-use, Approach, with Growth Forecasts, 2025-2030" report has been added to Japan Cyber Security Market was valued at USD 8.65 Billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 18.24 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 13.50%. Government initiatives and regulatory frameworks are playing an important role in shaping the market, with policies aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities. Cyber threats, such as state-sponsored attacks and ransomware, are becoming more severe, increasing awareness and investment in robust security measures across industries. In addition, Japan's rapid digital transformation has increased the demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and technological advancements are significantly influencing market growth. Adopting AI-driven security analysis and machine learning algorithms is becoming more prevalent, enabling more effective threat detection and response. Cloud computing and IoT integration drive demand for endpoint protection innovations, critical for securing diverse endpoints against evolving threats. Furthermore, the growth of mobile banking and digital payment platforms in the BFSI sector has expanded the attack surface for cyber threats, necessitating advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect against fraud and data economic and regulatory factors are crucial in driving market growth. The Japanese government's economic stimulus package and increased defense spending underscore cybersecurity as a national priority. For instance, in February 2025, the Japanese Cabinet approved two bills to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity capabilities. These bills empower the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the police to enhance Japan's cyber defense mechanisms. This focus on enhancing digital infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities is essential for safeguarding critical sectors against sophisticated cyber threats. The government's cloud-first policy has further accelerated the demand for network security solutions, as many end users leverage virtual environments. These initiatives, combined with the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, position the market for significant expansion over the coming years. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 182 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $8.65 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $18.24 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.5% Regions Covered Japan Japan Cyber Security Market Variables, Trends and Scope Market Lineage Outlook Market Dynamics Market Driver Analysis Market Restraint Analysis Industry Challenge Industry Analysis Tools PORTER's Analysis PESTEL Analysis Competitive Landscape Acalvio Technologies, Inc. Akamai Technologies Allure Security Technology Appier Inc. Netpoleon Group BBS Technology (BBSEC) CDNetworks Inc. Cequence Security, Inc. Cisco Systems, Inc. Cyber Security Cloud, Inc. CyberTrap Cybertrust Japan Co., Ltd. Dell Inc. F5 Inc. FFRI Security, Inc. Japan Cyber Security Market SegmentationComponent Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) Hardware Software Services Security Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) Endpoint security Cloud Security Network Security Application Security Infrastructure Protection Data Security Artificial Intelligence Model/Machine Learning Model Security Hardware Security Others Solution Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) Unified Threat Management (UTM) Intrusion Detection System/Intrusion Prevention System (IDS/IPS) Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Identity and Access Management (IAM) Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) & Security Orchestration, Automation & Response (SOAR) DDoS Risk and Compliance Management Others Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) Cloud On-premises Organization Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Large Enterprises End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) IT and Telecommunications Retail and E-Commerce BFSI Healthcare Government and Defense Manufacturing Energy and Utilities Automotive Marine Transportation and Logistics Others Approach Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017-2030) Traditional Cyber Defense/Reactive Cyber Security Active Cyber Defense/Proactive Cyber Security For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Japanese Cyber Security Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
11-07-2025
- Politics
Japan, U.S., S. Korea Top Uniformed Officers Vow Cooperation
News from Japan World Jul 11, 2025 22:37 (JST) Seoul, July 11 (Jiji Press)--Top uniformed officers from Japan's Self-Defense Forces, the U.S. military and the South Korean military on Friday agreed to continue their trilateral security cooperation, condemning North Korea's nuclear and missile development. The agreement was included in a joint statement released following a meeting in Seoul between Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff at the SDF's Joint Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Kim Myung-soo, chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine also called for coordination to deter China's military threats. While South Korea considers the trilateral security cooperation as a deterrent against North Korea, Caine said in the meeting that North Korea and China are promoting an unprecedented military buildup. He also said that the United States is focusing on rebuilding the deterrence, indicating his intention to use the trilateral framework to check China. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
