Japan Self-Defense Forces

Jul- 2026 -

20 July

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airman assigned to the Western Air Civil Engineering Group sets up a drone during a bilateral live fire exercise at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 18, 2023. U.S. and Japanese partners worked together, repairing the craters and exchanging knowledge while observers from both countries watched. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anwtain Hanks)

Japan Taps Quantum Systems to Develop Drone Killers

Tokyo has signed on Quantum Systems to help develop and evaluate next-generation interceptor drones under the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency’s Counter Unmanned Aerial System Proof-of-Concept effort.

Jun- 2026 -

29 June

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Japan Approves Air and Space Self-Defense Force Reorganization

Tokyo has approved legislation to rename the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to the Air and Space Self-Defense Force, marking the first name change for one of the country's military branches since its armed forces were established in the 1950s.

Sep- 2025 -

8 September

Asia Pacific

Japan’s first mass-produced Armored Modular Vehicle.

Christine Casimiro

Japan Rolls Out First Armored Modular Vehicle to Replace Aging Type-96 Fleet

Japan’s first mass-produced Armored Modular Vehicle, intended to replace the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) aging Type-96 personnel carriers, has been rolled out.

4 September

Sea

Rojoef Manuel

Palfinger to Deliver Slipway Systems for Japan’s Next-Gen FFM Warships

Japan has awarded Austrian firm Palfinger Marine a contract to supply stern launch and recovery systems for its next-generation FFM-class multirole frigates.

Aug- 2025 -

29 August

Asia Pacific

Staff Writer With AFP

Japan Seeks Record Defense Budget, to Triple Drone Spending

Japan's defense ministry is aiming for a major boost to its drone arsenal as part of another record spending request.

7 August

Americas

KAUAI, Hawaii - A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher deploys into position aboard Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hawaii, Aug. 16, 2021.

Inder Singh Bisht

US May Deploy Mobile Anti-Ship Missile in Joint Exercise With Japan

The US military is considering deploying the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System in a planned joint war game with Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force next month.

Jun- 2025 -

11 June

Arms

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Type 12 missile launcher vehicle.

Christine Casimiro

Japan Unveils Long-Range Type 12 Missile Launcher for First Time

The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces has unveiled the vehicle launcher for the enhanced Type 12 missile at the service’s largest live-fire drill, marking its first public appearance.

9 June

Americas

Eighteen U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from Kadena Air Base are parked on the ramp, July 9, 2018, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The F-15s evacuated due to Typhoon Maria. This is the most aircraft to ever evacuate to Yokota AB from Kadena AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Oaskabe)

Staff Writer With AFP

Explosion Reported at US Air Base in Japan

An explosion occurred at a Japanese military facility inside a US air base in Okinawa, officials told AFP, with local media reporting non-life-threatening injuries.

May- 2025 -

29 May

Air

Joe Saballa

Japan in Talks to Procure Kawasaki K-Racer Drone for Military Logistics

Japan’s Ministry of Defense is in talks with Kawasaki Heavy Industries over the potential acquisition of the K-RACER drone to support military logistics missions.

Apr- 2025 -

25 April

Asia Pacific

Joe Saballa

Japan Flexes Hypersonic-Killing Railgun for First Time

Japan has pulled the curtain back on its much-hyped electromagnetic railgun — an experimental weapon built to knock hypersonic threats out of the sky.

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