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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

December

• Japanese firms, Kazakhstan prepare uranium production from 2010 RIA Novosti 26 Dec 2007 -- Japanese companies are set for cooperation with the Kazakh government to launch nuclear fuel production in Kazakhstan in 2010, the Japanese economics ministry said on Wednesday.
• Japan continues to boost its missile defenses RIA Novosti 24 Dec 2007 -- Japan's Cabinet endorsed Monday a review of emergency missile defense rules giving Self-Defense Forces (SDF) the discretion to fire missile interceptors without the premier's go ahead, the Kyodo agency said.
• JAPAN SUCCESSFULLY DESTROYS BALLISTIC MISSILE DURING FIRST TEST OF LOCKHEED MARTIN AEGIS BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM Lockheed Martin 18 Dec 2007 -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force made history yesterday when, for the first time, a Japan Aegis guided missile destroyer equipped with Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target in space.
• Japan Intercepts Test Missile Above Pacific Ocean VOA 18 Dec 2007 -- Japan says it has successfully completed its first test of a U.S.-developed missile interceptor, striking down a ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean early Tuesday
• Japan Successfully Test Fires Its First Raytheon-Built Standard Missile-3 Raytheon 17 Dec 2007 -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully flight tested its first Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-built Standard Missile-3
• U.S. ban forces Japan to modernize F-15 fighters RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2007 -- Japan will be unable to purchases state-of-the-art U.S. fighter aircraft before 2010, and will prioritize instead the upgrading of the Air Force's 40 F-15 Eagle jets, a Defense Ministry source said on Monday.
• Japan's Moves for Establishment of MD under Fire KCNA 10 Dec 2007 -- Japan is busy establishing its own missile defence system (MD), organizing missile units and staging missile launching exercises of the Self-Defence Forces (SDF).

November

• Japan's Upper House of Parliament Approves Bill to Halt Air Force Mission in Iraq VOA 28 Nov 2007 -- Japan's upper house of parliament has approved a bill that would stop the country's air force transport mission in Iraq.
• Japan's Lower House Approves Support for Afghan Mission VOA 13 Nov 2007 -- Japan's lower house of parliament has approved a bill to resume the country's support of a U.S.-led mission to Afghanistan, setting the stage for a political battle with the opposition-controlled upper house.
• Transcript: Joint Press Conference with Secretary Gates and Minister of Defense Ishiba from Tokyo, Japan 08 Nov 2007 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Minister of Defense Shigeru Ishiba
• Gates, Ishiba Discuss Future of Japanese-American Alliance AFPS 08 Nov 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba met here today to discuss the Japanese-American alliance and broader aspects of the Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty between the United States and Japan.
• Japan may finance part of Yongbyon disablement - Kyodo RIA Novosti 06 Nov 2007 -- Japan's foreign minister said Tuesday Tokyo could fund part of the costs of disabling N. Korean nuclear facilities under a deal reached at six-party talks on Pyongyang's denuclearization, the Kyodo agency said.
• Japan's Moves for MD under Fire KCNA 06 Nov 2007 -- The Japanese foreign minister recently asserted that Japan's missile defence network is aimed to cope with the "missile threat" from north Korea.

October

• Russia, Japan confirm commitment to peace treaty RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2007 -- The Russian and Japanese foreign ministers confirmed on Tuesday their commitment to finding a mutual solution for concluding a formal peace treaty.
• Kuril issue should not spoil Russia-Japan relations - Kamynin RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Cooperation between Russia and Japan should not suffer from the unresolved territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
• Japan govt. approves naval mission to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2007 -- The Japanese government has endorsed a draft law extending Japan's naval support mission for coalition forces in Afghanistan, Kyodo news agency said on Wednesday.
• Russia concerned by Japan-U.S. missile shield - FM Lavrov RIA Novoti 13 Oct 2007 -- Russia is concerned by plans by the U.S. and Japan to deploy a joint missile defense system, the foreign minister told Tokyo's Kyodo news agency.
• Japan takes decision to extend sanctions against North Korea RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2007 -- Japan's Cabinet approved on Tuesday the extension of economic sanctions against North Korea for another six months over the lack of progress in the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals.
• Japan welcomes North Korea's decision on shutdown RIA Novosti 04 Oct 2007 -- Tokyo welcomes North Korea's agreement to decommission its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon by December 31, Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said on Thursday.
• No timeframe for striking N.Korea off terrorism list - Japan FM RIA Novosti 02 Oct 2007 -- Japan's foreign minister denied Tuesday that a timeframe had been set for removing North Korea from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism at the latest round of disarmament talks with the country.

September

• Japan extends sanctions against North Korea for six months RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2007 -- Japan plans to extend economic sanctions against North Korea for another six months over the lack of progress in the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals, a Cabinet spokesman said on Sunday.
• Fukuda becomes Japan's new prime minister RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2007 -- Yasuo Fukuda was chosen as Japan's new prime minister by parliament's lower house on Tuesday, reported Kyodo news.
• Fukuda Elected Japanese Prime Minister VOA 25 Sep 2007 -- Veteran lawmaker, Yasuo Fukuda, has been elected Japan's new prime minister.
• Analysis: Japan's New 'Old Guard' cfr.org 24 Sep 2007 -- Nearly two weeks of speculation ended September 23 as Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Yasuo Fukuda, a moderate party elder, as the country’s next prime minister
• Smith: Fukuda, A Moderate Japanese Prime Minister cfr.org 24 Sep 2007
• Japan's Prime Minister Candidates Confident on Extending Afghan Mission VOA 19 Sep 2007 -- The two candidates to succeed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played down their differences in a subdued news conference in Tokyo
• Japan successfully launches Selene lunar orbiter RIA Novosti 14 Sep 2007 -- Japan has successfully launched and put into Earth orbit its Selene lunar orbit explorer, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Friday.
• Japan Launches Much-Delayed Lunar Orbiter VOA 14 Sep 2007 -- Almost 40 years after the U.S. moon missions, Japan's Space Agency has launched its much-delayed lunar orbiter
• Japanese PM Resigns Following Year-Long Political Turmoil VOA 12 Sep 2007 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation after a year of missteps and scandals
• Radioactive water leaks from Japanese nuclear power plant RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2007 -- Water containing small amounts of radioactive contamination has leaked from the Ohi nuclear power plant on a Japanese island, Kansai Electrical Power announced Tuesday.
• Japan doubts U.S. will de-list DPRK without Tokyo consent - agency RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2007 -- Japan doubts that the U.S. will de-list North Korea as a sponsor of terrorism without Tokyo's consent, the Kyodo Tsushin agency said Monday, citing a government source who wished to remain anonymous.

August

• Boeing Resumes Flight Testing of Japan KC-767 Tanker Boeing 30 Aug 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) first KC-767 Tanker has resumed flight testing following the completion of scheduled ground modification work.
• Japan considering aid to North Korea after three-year hiatus RIA Novosti 29 Aug 2007 -- Japan is debating whether to lift a three-year embargo on humanitarian aid to North Korea, Tokyo financial newspaper Nikkei quoted the new foreign minister as saying Wednesday.
• Japan's Abe Reshuffles Cabinet and Ruling Party Leadership VOA 27 Aug 2007 -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reshuffled both his cabinet and the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party following the party's disastrous defeat in parliamentary elections last month
• Japanese nuclear plant hit by quake shut down safely, UN expert team concludes UN News Centre 15 Aug 2007 -- A Japanese nuclear power plant damaged by a strong earthquake last month shut down safely, and the very small amount of radioactivity released was well below the authorized limits for public health and environmental safety, according to a United Nations-sponsored fact-finding team of international nuclear safety experts.
• Japan sets new date for lunar orbiter launch RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2007 -- Japan's space agency announced Wednesday a new date for the launch of its Selena lunar orbit explorer, which was put off due to replacement work on two onboard satellites.
• World's Largest Nuclear Plant Closed for Months VOA 10 Aug 2007 -- U.N. inspectors say the world's largest nuclear plant, damaged weeks ago by an earthquake in Japan, will be closed for "months or a year" while more checks are done.
• Japanese Defense Minister Vows to Continue Cooperation with US Anti-Terrorism Efforts VOA 09 Aug 2007 -- Japan's Defense Minister Yuriko Koike says that Japan will continue to support U.S.-led efforts to fight terrorism in Asia.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED $33 MILLION TO PROVIDE AEGIS BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE TO JAPANESE DESTROYER JDS CHOKAI Lockheed Martin 07 Aug 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today received a $33 million contract to provide Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability to the Aegis-equipped Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer JDS Chokai.
• Japan to finance dismantling of three Russian nuclear submarines RIA Novosti 03 Aug 2007 -- Japan will finance the scrapping of three Russian nuclear submarines decommissioned from the Pacific Fleet under a joint project with Russia, a senior Japanese diplomat said Friday.
• IAEA inspectors to arrive in Japan Sunday for quake-hit NPP check RIA Novosti 02 Aug 2007 -- Inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog will arrive in Japan Sunday to inspect a nuclear facility damaged in a fierce earthquake in July, Japan's Kyodo news agency said Thursday.
• Abe Group's Moves to Disturb Six-Party Talks under Fire KCNA 02 Aug 2007 -- Japan is keen to bar the improvement of its relations with the DPRK and derail the six-party talks aimed at settling the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula under the pretext of the "abduction issue."

July

• DPRK Foreign Ministry Blasts Abe Group's Racket over "Abduction Issue" KCNA 20 Jul 2007 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK released a memorandum Thursday to warn the international community of the dangerous consequences to be entailed by the Japanese authorities' attempt to abuse the "abduction issue."
• Japan stresses need for military reform, missile shield RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2007 -- Japan's Defense Ministry published Friday a document that prioritizes the broader use of the Japanese military in global peacekeeping operations and the creation of a national missile shield.
• Japan Defense Report Stresses Peacekeeping, Regional Security VOA 06 Jul 2007 -- The Japanese government has released its annual defense report, underscoring a continuing transformation of its Self-Defense Forces into a modern, outward-looking military
• Japan, U.S. to hold first joint missile defense drill in 2008 RIA Novosti 05 Jul 2007 -- Japan and the United States are planning to conduct in January 2008 their first joint exercises on countering a potential missile attack, a Japanese newspaper said Thursday.
• Japan first female defense chief sworn in, vows to restore trust RIA Novosti 04 Jul 2007 -- Japan's first-ever female defense minister was sworn into office Wednesday, vowing to restore trust in the government following the resignation of her predecessor over his controversial comments regarding the WWII atomic bombing of Japan.
• Japan's defense minister resigns over WWII comments RIA Novosti 03 Jul 2007 -- Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma announced his resignation Tuesday amid criticism over statements he made suggesting U.S. nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II were inevitable.
• Japanese Defense Minister Resigns VOA 03 Jul 2007 -- Japan's defense minister has resigned over controversial comments about the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan in the Second World War
• Six-party talks on N.Korea unlikely in early July - Japan's FM RIA Novosti 03 Jul 2007 -- Japan is doubtful that six-party negotiations on the North Korean nuclear program will go ahead in early July as Washington had hoped, the Japanese foreign minister said Tuesday.

June

• KCNA Indicts Japan for Its Moves to Emerge Military Power KCNA 30 Jun 2007 -- The Korean Central News Agency on Friday released an indictment blasting the Japanese reactionaries' ever-more undisguised moves to turn Japan into a military giant.
• Russian, Japanese expectations high for upcoming N.Korea talks RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2007 -- A senior Russian diplomat said Thursday on a visit to Tokyo that Russia and Japan expected substantial progress to be made in advance of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN TO UPGRADE RADAR FOR RECONNAISSANCE VERSION OF JAPAN'S F-15 Lockheed Martin 19 Jun 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that it will upgrade radar capabilities for the reconnaissance version of the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s fleet of F-15 aircraft As part of a Japanese-led team, Lockheed Martin will equip select F-15 aircraft with advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) pods.
• F-2 makes live bomb debut during exercise AFPN 15 Jun 2007 -- "Hands-on" took on real meaning for members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force as F-2 support fighter pilots dropped the first live weapons from the fighter here June 13 as part of Exercise Cope North.
• Japan, US Want G8 to Put More Pressure on North Korea VOA 06 Jun 2007 -- Japan and the United States want the world's leading industrialized nations to put more pressure on North Korea to comply with an international agreement aimed at ending its nuclear weapons program

May

• KCNA Blasts Japan's Military Moves for Preemptive Attack KCNA 16 May 2007 -- Japan is escalating its military threat to the DPRK and other countries of the region.
• Japanese Reactionaries' Moves to Establish MD under Fire KCNA 09 May 2007 -- The Japanese reactionaries are displaying feverish activities to establish the Missile Defence System (MD) at the earliest date possible while acting separately, not fully depending on cooperation with the United States in this matter.
• Japan's Frantic Arms Build-up for Reinvasion Blasted KCNA 01 May 2007 -- The Japanese reactionaries are working with bloodshot eyes to turn Japan into a military power and realize their ambition for overseas expansion, busying themselves with the early deployment of the missile defense system (MD) under the pretext of someone's "threat".

April

• Japan Considers Amending Pacifist Constitution VOA 30 Apr 2007 -- After years of talking about it, Japan's governing party has moved ahead this month with plans to revise the country's constitution
• United States, Japan Say Patience on North Korea “Not Unlimited” Washington File 27 Apr 2007 -- U.S. patience with North Korea to follow through on its pledge to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor and other commitments as part of a February 13 agreement is “not unlimited,” President Bush says, but he adds that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il still has time to “make the right choice.”
• Russia, Japan set to start nuclear cooperation talks RIA Novosti 24 Apr 2007 -- The first round of talks between Russia and Japan on cooperation in the nuclear power industry will be held April 26 in Tokyo, a Japanese diplomatic source said Tuesday.
• Japan Denounced for Disturbing 6-Party Talks KCNA 20 Apr 2007 -- Japan, making much ado about the "abduction issue" which does not deserve a passing note, has no job to do at the 6-party talks, declares a Rodong Sinmun analyst Thursday
• China: Premier Faces Tough Task Of Mending Japan Ties RFE/RL 11 Apr 2007 -- Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao opened a visit to Japan today during which the two countries will attempt to get their deeply strained relations back in order.
• U.S. and Japanese Reactionaries' Moves for Establishing MD under Fire KCNA 10 Apr 2007 -- It is preposterous for the U.S. imperialists to raise a hue and cry over "missile threat" from the DPRK and assert that they would expand and push forward the plan for the establishment of the missile defence system (MD) to "protect" themselves and their allies.
• Japan Extends Sanctions On North Korea RFE/RL 10 Apr 2007 -- Japan says it has decided to extend sanctions against North Korea for six more months, as Pyongyang faces a deadline to shut down its main nuclear reactor.
• Japan's FM doubts N.Korea will shut down reactor on time RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2007 -- Japan's foreign minister said Tuesday North Korea could fail to meet the deadline for its initial denuclearization commitments under a breakthrough deal with the six negotiators.
• Russia, Italy, Japan to form joint emergency response force RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2007 -- Russia's emergencies ministry is planning to launch a joint project with Italy and Japan to create an airmobile rescue group to deal with emergency situations around the world, a ministry's official said Tuesday.

March

• U.S.-Japan Defense Officials Increase Military Cooperation AFPS 30 Mar 2007 -- The United States and Japan are increasing their military cooperation and coordination to face evolving threats, the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force here said.
• Japan, Netherlands deploy first SAM batteries RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2007 -- The first battery of the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 surface-to-air missiles (PAC3) was delivered Friday to the Iruma air base, north of Tokyo.
• Japan Not Qualified to Participate in Six-party Talks: KCNA KCNA 27 Mar 2007 -- Japan has persistently misbehaved in the international arena only to see its poor image sagging.
• Japan plans to upgrade Air Force with new fighters RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2007 -- Japan is considering the possibility of upgrading its outdated fleet of F-4 fighters with advanced European aircraft, an anonymous source at the Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Australia, Japan Sign Historic Defense Accord VOA 13 Mar 2007 -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard has dismissed suggestions that a new security pact with Japan will harm his country's ties with China.
• India, Japan, US Plan Military Cooperation While China Watches Nervously VOA 09 Mar 2007 -- Three-way military cooperation among India, Japan and the United States is being eyed with concern by China, but the participants say the new grouping will not evolve into a formal alliance, and is not meant to "contain" China
• Japan, N.Korea say will continue dialogue RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2007 -- Japan and North Korea will continue dialogue although their second day of talks to improve ties ended abruptly Thursday with no consensus, Japan's Kyodo News said.
• Japan, North Korea Talks End Early VOA 08 Mar 2007 -- Talks between Japan and North Korea on diplomatic normalization have broken down in Hanoi.

February

• Japanese Expert: Tokyo May Have Been Unprepared for North Korea Nuclear Deal VOA 24 Feb 2007 -- A Japanese expert on North Korea says Tokyo may have been unprepared for the speed with which Washington and Pyongyang narrowed their differences over the North's nuclear weapons
• China Defends Ship in Disputed Waters Near Japan VOA 06 Feb 2007 -- China has defended a survey ship's entry into disputed waters near Japan, saying the ship was carrying out a normal maritime survey

January

• Japanese PM Says New Constitution Needed For Postwar Regime VOA 26 Jan 2007 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has taken his quest for a more robust role in international affairs to the floor of his country's legislature
• Japan Protests China's Satellite-Killer Test RFE/RL 19 Jan 2007 -- Japan has joined the United States in expressing concern over China's apparent test of a weapon that attacks satellites in space.
• Rodong Sinmun Lambastes Japan for Upgrading Defence Agency to Ministry KCNA 15 Jan 2007 -- The land of Japs on Jan. 9 upgraded the Defence Agency to a ministry.
• Chinese, Japanese, S. Korean Leaders Take United Stand on North Korea VOA 14 Jan 2007 -- The leaders of China, Japan and South Korea have held their first summit in two years - a period strained by historical differences and tensions over territorial disputes