Latest news with #Self-DefenseForces
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan, Philippines agree to reinforce ties between defense forces
The Japanese and Philippine defense ministers agreed in Singapore on Sunday to step up collaboration between their forces in the face of China's maritime assertiveness in the East and South China seas. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, meeting on the sidelines of an annual Asia security forum, also agreed to promote cooperation on arms exports and maintain close communication between the countries' defense authorities. Hailing progress in bilateral cooperation, Teodoro said at the outset of the talks that Japan is a cornerstone for maintaining order in the region. The talks took place after the two agreed in Manila in February to launch a strategic dialogue to intensify unit-to-unit cooperation and set up a high-level framework to promote further defense equipment and technology cooperation. Security ties between Japan and the Philippines, both key U.S. allies, have deepened in recent years, with tensions high in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing are locked in territorial disputes. Chinese vessels have clashed with Philippine ships near disputed shoals in the South China Sea and repeatedly entered waters around the uninhabited Senkaku Islands controlled by Japan in the East China Sea. Tokyo supplied the Philippines with an air surveillance radar system in 2023, the first finished defense product exported by Japan since the easing of its long-held arms trade ban in 2014. Japan has also decided to provide coastal radar systems to the Southeast Asian nation under a new security assistance program launched in 2023 to support the militaries of like-minded countries. Later in the day, Nakatani held separate talks with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, during which they agreed to bolster security cooperation with the United States and other like-minded nations to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia has shortlisted Japan's Mogami-class frigate and Germany's MEKO A200 as candidates to replace its navy's Anzac-class frigates over the next decade. Canberra is set to make the final decision by the end of this year. Nakatani said that he told Marles that if Japan is selected, interoperability between the Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military would be further enhanced, generating significant strategic value for both countries. © KYODO
2 days ago
- Politics
Japan, Philippines Agree to Strengthen Defense Cooperation
News from Japan Politics Jun 1, 2025 20:50 (JST) Singapore, June 1 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro on Sunday agreed to further strengthen cooperation between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military amid China's intensified military activities in the East and South China seas. Japan and the Philippines will use the bilateral framework of strategic dialogue between unit operation officers, which the two defense ministers agreed to establish at their meeting in February. At the beginning of Sunday's meeting with Nakatani in Singapore, Teodoro said Japan and the Philippines must enhance deterrence and oppose actions they do not want, with China in mind. The two ministers confirmed the expansion of joint exercises following the signing of a reciprocal access agreement to facilitate visits to each other's country by the Japanese SDF and the Philippine military. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan, U.S. to boost cybersecurity cooperation amid rising threats
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani pose for a photograph at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed Saturday to boost cybersecurity cooperation, following Japan's enactment of a law allowing the government to monitor online communications amid rising cyber threats. After their talks in Singapore, meanwhile, Nakatani did not clarify whether Hegseth had requested Japan pay more for defense during their meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump views the long-standing security treaty with Japan as unfair and one-sided. Nakatani and Hegseth met on the sidelines of the annual Asia Security Summit, better known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, being held for three days from Friday. It was their first in-person meeting since March in Tokyo. In May, Japan enacted a law introducing "active cyberdefense" measures aimed at preempting cyberattacks, enabling police and the Self-Defense Forces to counter threats by accessing and neutralizing the source servers. Nakatani told reporters that he and Hegseth also affirmed their governments will closely collaborate to align their top strategic priorities, as the Pentagon plans to release the latest version of its policy document, the National Defense Strategy. The Trump administration has voiced eagerness to compile a final draft of the document by the end of August. Japan issued its National Defense Strategy in 2022, pledging to acquire "counterstrike capabilities" to directly target enemy territory in an emergency, as China continues to build up its forces and North Korea seeks to expand its nuclear and missile arsenal. According to government sources, Japan is eyeing "two-plus-two" security talks with the United States in Washington this summer, which would bring together their foreign and defense ministers for the first time under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and during Trump's second term. Afterward, Nakatani and Hegseth attended a quadrilateral gathering with their Australian and Philippine counterparts, Richard Marles and Gilberto Teodoro. In a joint statement released after the meeting, they expressed "continued serious concern about China's destabilizing actions" in the East and South China seas. The four countries confirmed that they will explore planning joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities in the two seas, and coinvest in cybersecurity of the Philippines, the statement said. Separately, Nakatani, Hegseth and Marles held a trilateral gathering. Earlier on Saturday, Nakatani delivered a speech at the security summit, calling for global efforts to restore a "rules-based international order," with Japan "at its center." He also aired concerns over a "rapid military buildup, including nuclear forces, without transparency" and an "increase in provocative military activities," in an apparent reference to Chinese forces. © KYODO
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
UK Rules Out Sending HMS Prince of Wales to Ukraine War
Israa Farhan The United Kingdom has confirmed it will not redeploy the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier from the Indo-Pacific region to Europe amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. UK Chief of the Defiance Staff Admiral Tony Radakin stated that there are no plans to involve the carrier in the Russia-Ukraine war. Admiral Radakin addressed recent media speculation suggesting US dissatisfaction with the UK's decision to send its flagship naval vessel to the Indo-Pacific. He clarified that the UK does not anticipate the conflict escalating in a way that would require deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales. Since leaving Portsmouth in April, the HMS Prince of Wales has been participating in Operation Highmast, a major naval deployment across the Indo-Pacific. The strike group is conducting joint exercises and port visits in the Indian Ocean alongside forces from the United States, India, Singapore, and Malaysia. UK naval forces are also set to take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia with 19 allied nations, followed by joint training operations with Japan's Self-Defense Forces. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan, US vow to spur cybersecurity cooperation amid rising threats
SINGAPORE (Kyodo) -- Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed Saturday to boost cybersecurity cooperation, following Japan's enactment of a law allowing the government to monitor online communications amid rising cyber threats. After their talks in Singapore, meanwhile, Nakatani did not clarify whether Hegseth had requested Japan pay more for defense during their meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump views the long-standing security treaty with Japan as unfair and one-sided. Nakatani and Hegseth met on the sidelines of the annual Asia Security Summit, better known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, being held for three days from Friday. It was their first in-person meeting since March in Tokyo. In May, Japan enacted a law introducing "active cyberdefense" measures aimed at preempting cyberattacks, enabling police and the Self-Defense Forces to counter threats by accessing and neutralizing the source servers. Nakatani told reporters that he and Hegseth also affirmed their governments will closely collaborate to align their top strategic priorities, as the Pentagon plans to release the latest version of its policy document, the National Defense Strategy. The Trump administration has expressed eagerness to compile a final draft of the document by the end of August. Japan issued its National Defense Strategy in 2022, pledging to acquire "counterstrike capabilities" to directly target enemy territory in an emergency, as China continues to build up its forces and North Korea seeks to expand its nuclear and missile arsenal. According to government sources, Japan eyes "two-plus-two" security talks with the United States, involving their foreign and defense ministers in Washington this summer -- the first under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and during Trump's second term in office. Earlier on Saturday, Nakatani delivered a speech at the security summit, calling for global efforts to restore a "rules-based international order," with Japan "at its center." He also aired concerns over a "rapid military buildup, including nuclear forces, without transparency" and an "increase in provocative military activities," in an apparent reference to Chinese forces.
