December 2023 - Japan Special Weapons News

China Planning to Regularly Patrol Waters Off Disputed Senkaku Islands in 2024 - Reports Sputnik 30 Dec 2023 -- China's coast guard is planning to deploy its vessels near a group of islands in the East China Sea to which both Beijing and Tokyo lay claim, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan, on a permanent basis next year, conducting inspections of Japanese fishing boats, if necessary.
Japanese gov't OKs U.S. base transfer work despite Okinawa's objection People's Daily 29 Dec 2023 -- The Japanese government on Thursday gave the green light to a revised plan for a key U.S. base relocation within Okinawa prefecture, taking the unprecedented step of overriding the prefectural government's objection, local media reported.
Media Freedom Coalition Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Closure of Stand News and Media Freedom in Hong Kong US Dept. of State 29 Dec 2023 -- The text of the following statement was signed by the Governments of Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Japanese Gov't OKs Relocation of US Base in Okinawa Though Local Gov't Opposed - Reports Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- The Japanese government has approved the start of ground works for the relocation of a US military base in Okinawa prefecture, despite opposition from local authorities, Japanese news broadcaster reported on Thursday.
Possible Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing summit 'in discussion': report Radio Free Asia 27 Dec 2023 -- South Korea, China, and Japan are reportedly continuing discussions to hold a trilateral summit - an initiative that Seoul and Tokyo see as an opportunity to send a unified warning to North Korea and curb its nuclear ambitions.
Okinawa rejects court order over revised U.S. base transfer plan People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- Japan's Okinawa prefectural government on Monday rejected a high court order to approve a revised plan for a key U.S. base relocation within the southernmost prefecture, local media reported.
Japan to Finalize Relocation of US Base in Okinawa on Thursday - Reports Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- Japanese Land Minister Saito Tetsuo will give his formal approval on December 28 to start ground works for the relocation of a US military base in Okinawa prefecture, despite opposition from local authorities, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Tuesday.
US, Japan announce record defense budgets targeting China, unsettling analysts amid deteriorating security environment Global Times 24 Dec 2023 -- After the US and Japan on Friday announced record defense budgets for 2024, with media reporting both have China in mind, experts warned on Sunday that under a deteriorating global security situation, the US is giving tacit permission to Japan to break away from its self-defense-only principle to help maintain the US' global hegemony amid dangerous rises in Japan's right-wing militaristic moves.
Japanese gov't relaxes ban on arms exports amid criticism People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- The Japanese government on Friday lifted its ban on exports of arms and ammunition manufactured under license from foreign companies to their countries, and conditionally to third countries.
Japan MoD, US DoD sign joint agreement for AI, UAS research US Air Force 22 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. Department of Defense and the Japanese Ministry of Defense signed a project arrangement for joint research on Overwhelming Response through Collaborative Autonomy, Dec. 22.
U.S. Department of Defense Statement on Japan's Decision to Transfer Patriot Missiles to the United States DoD 22 Dec 2023 -- The United States welcomes Japan's announcement that it will transfer Patriot interceptor missiles to the United States to replenish U.S. inventories.
Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Japan's Decision to Transfer Patriot Missiles to the United States The White House 22 Dec 2023
United States Hosts Quad Counterterrorism Working Group in Honolulu, Hawaii US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2023 -- The Department of State hosted representatives from Japan, Australia, and India for the Quad Counterterrorism Working Group meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii December 19-21, 2023. Gregory LoGerfo, Acting Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism, led the U.S. interagency delegation.
Japan's court orders Okinawa governor to approve design change for U.S. base relocation People's Daily 21 Dec 2023 -- A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the governor of Okinawa prefecture to approve the central government's design change for planned ground improvement work under a U.S. base relocation project.
Joint Statement by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2023 -- The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
North Korea/DPRK: G7 Foreign Ministers' statement on the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Dec 2023 -- "We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea's December 18 (local time) launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), following four previous ICBM launches this year as well as other launches using ballistic missile technology."
Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner's Trilateral Call With Japan and the Republic of Korea DoD 19 Dec 2023
United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Joint Press Statement DoD 19 Dec 2023 -- Today, the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea announce that they have fully activated a real-time DPRK missile warning data sharing mechanism and jointly established a multi-year trilateral exercise plan.
Deputy Special Representative for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Pak's Trilateral Call with Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Representative Gunn and Japanese Director General Namazu US Dept. of State 19 Dec 2023 -- The United States is imposing sanctions today on a network of 10 entities and four individuals based in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong (PRC), and Indonesia, led by Iran-based Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, for facilitating Iran's procurement of sensitive goods, including U.S.-origin electronic components, for one-way attack UAVs produced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization.
Japan, ASEAN step up security cooperation amid South China Sea tensions Radio Free Asia 18 Dec 2023 -- Japan and Southeast Asian nations have agreed to "promote a rules-based Indo-Pacific region that is free and open" amid China's growing assertiveness.
Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with the National Security Advisors of the Republic of Korea and Japan Following the DPRK's ICBM Test The White House 17 Dec 2023
Japan - AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles DSCA 15 Dec 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $59.03 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Japan - AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) DSCA 15 Dec 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $224 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
ADF says 'arigatou' after Japan exercise Australia DOD 15 Dec 2023 -- Exercise Yama Sakura 85 (YS85) may be over but the relationships, friendships and memories shared by the ADF members and their 6000-plus Japanese and US counterparts will probably last a lifetime.
Japanese PM ousts LDP's largest faction from cabinet amid political funds scandal People's Daily 15 Dec 2023 -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday ousted all four cabinet ministers of the ruling party's largest faction, as he seeks to control the damage following a political fundraising scandal, local media reported.
UK, Japan, and Italy sign international stealth fighter jet programme treaty UK MOD 14 Dec 2023 -- UK signs international Treaty with Japan and Italy for a future combat air programme that aims to develop an innovative stealth fighter with supersonic capability and equipped with cutting-edge technology.
UK, Japan, Italy Sign Defense Agreement to Develop Stealth Fighter Sputnik 14 Dec 2023 -- The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan have inked an international agreement within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) military program to develop a cutting-edge stealth fighter with supersonic capability that is expected to come into operation by 2035, the UK Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
UK Carrier Strike Group to visit Japan in 2025 UK MOD 14 Dec 2023 -- The UK's Carrier Strike Group will visit Japan as part of the flagship 2025 Indo-Pacific deployment, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has announced today
Analysts: Japan Strengthening ASEAN Security Ties to Contain China VOA 14 Dec 2023 -- Tokyo has been expanding its security ties with multiple Southeast Asian countries ahead of a Japan-ASEAN summit that analysts see as a forum to offset China's aggressive behavior in the region.
N Korea likely to launch ballistic missile, test allies' new alert system Radio Free Asia 14 Dec 2023 -- North Korea is likely to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering multiple nuclear warheads to the United States mainland within this month, testing the newly established real-time missile warning data sharing system among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.
Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with the National Security Advisors of Japan and the Philippines The White House 13 Dec 2023
3d Marine Littoral Regiment Concludes Exercise KAMANDAG 7 USMC News 12 Dec 2023 -- 3d Marine Littoral Regiment demonstrated its readiness and ability to establish a forward presence during exercise KAMANDAG 7. From Nov. 9-17, 3d MLR conducted Stand-in-Force operations alongside the Philippine Marine Corps' 4th Marine Brigade and Coastal Defense Regiment, the Japan Self-Defense Force, and service members from the United Kingdom in multiple training locations spread across Northern Luzon.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru DoD 12 Dec 2023
Japan, U.S. Navies Conduct Bilateral Maritime Exercise US Navy 11 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. Navy conducted a maritime exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in the South China Sea demonstrating the combined capabilities to counter regional threats, Dec. 7.
U.S., Japan Ships Complete Bilateral Exercise in Gulf of Aden US Navy 10 Dec 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame-class destroyer FS Akebono (DD 108) conducted bilateral exercise in the Gulf of Aden, Nov. 25.
Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Trilateral Meeting with the National Security Advisors of Japan and the Republic of Korea The White House 08 Dec 2023
U.S., Japan ships complete bilateral exercise in Gulf of Aden CENTCOM 08 Dec 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame-class destroyer FS Akebono (DD 108) conducted bilateral exercise in the Gulf of Aden, Nov. 25.
USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), JS Amagiri (DD 154) Participate in Sister Ship Tree Exchange US Navy 08 Dec 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) participated in the annual Sister Ship Tree Exchange with Asagiri-class destroyer JS Amagiri (DD 154) aboard Amagiri December 7th, 2023.
Japan Pledges $4.5 Billion to Ukraine VOA 08 Dec 2023 -- Japan has pledged $4.5 billion to Ukraine for its war against Russia, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Thursday, $1 billion of which is designated for humanitarian aid.
Zelenskiy Thanks Japan For Aid Pledge After U.S. Senate Blocks Massive Package RFE/RL 07 Dec 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has thanked Japan for a pledge of an additional $1 billion in aid, saying the funds will give "significant support" to the country just hours after the U.S. Senate blocked a White House request that would have earmarked around $60 billion for Kyiv.
Japan to Provide Additional $1Bln in Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine Sputnik 07 Dec 2023 -- Japan will provide an additional $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine in line with the G7 countries' pledge to support Kiev, the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.
Japan PM Kishida to quit as ruling party faction leader People's Daily 07 Dec 2023 -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down as chief of his faction in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) amid a growing slush funds scandal, local media reported on Thursday.
U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2023 -- Japan hosted the Government of the United States for an Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD) in Japan on December 5-7, 2023.
Readout of President Biden's Virtual Meeting with G7 Leaders The White House 06 Dec 2023
G7 Leaders' Statement The White House 06 Dec 2023
V-22 Osprey Grounding USMC News Release 06 Dec 2023 -- Out of an abundance of caution, following the AFSOC operational stand down, NAVAIR is instituting a grounding bulletin for all V-22 Osprey variants Dec. 6.
Vietnam's Upgraded Ties With Japan 'Do Not Bode Well' for China VOA 06 Dec 2023 -- Beijing should be concerned about Hanoi's upgraded ties with Tokyo because the two countries share a common perspective on regional security matters, say experts.
U.S. Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan on Countering Foreign Information Manipulation US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2023 -- On December 6, 2023, in Tokyo, U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Liz Allen and Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary, Assistant Minister, Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Kobayashi Maki signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to counter Foreign Information Manipulation, an increasing threat in the region and beyond.
US, Japan, Australia hold first joint command post drill 'with China in mind' Global Times 05 Dec 2023 -- Japan, the US and Australia recently launched their first trilateral command post drill that aims to boost the defense of Japan "with China in mind," a move Chinese experts said on Tuesday reflects the three countries' groundless, dangerous obsession in hyping the "China threat" theory.
A significant step forward in the Pacific Australia DOD 05 Dec 2023 -- Australia is participating in Exercise Yama Sakura (YS85) for the first time, enhancing interoperability and mutual defence capability with Japan and the United States.
First time participation in Japan-US exercise Australia DOD 04 Dec 2023 -- In a historic first Australia will take part in Exercise Yama Sakura 85 (YS85) enhancing our interoperability and mutual defence capability with Japan and the United States.
Joining forces in Japan Australia DOD 04 Dec 2023 -- A RAAF P-8A Poseidon and 33 personnel from 11 Squadron have conducted two training exercises at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi base in Japan.
INS KADMATT AT YOKOSUKA, JAPAN (02-05 DEC 23) India PIB 03 Dec 2023 -- INS Kadmatt, on a Long Range Operational Deployment to the North Pacific Ocean entered Yokosuka, Japan on Dec 02, 2023 for an Operational Turnaround (OTR)
Japan refutes US claims on V-22 Osprey aircraft after fatal crash Press TV 01 Dec 2023 -- Japan has hit out at the US military for continuing to fly its V-22 Osprey aircraft despite its previous request to suspend all non-emergency flights of this kind over its territory.

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December 2023 - Japan Special Weapons News