Mastodawn

The Defense Ministry is considering exports ⁠of surface-to-ship missiles to the Philippines, local media has reported, as Tokyo adopts a more assertive regional security role amid concern about China. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/16/japan/japan-philippines-missile-exports/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #philippinesjapanrelations #philippines #china #defense #defenseministry #sdf #missiles

Japan considers missile exports to the Philippines, reports say

Tokyo last month unveiled its biggest overhaul of defense export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions ‌on overseas ‌arms transfers.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times May 14

The Japanese government is moving forward with efforts to strengthen its intelligence capabilities, a centerpiece of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's policy agenda. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/14/japan/politics/intelligence-capacity-enhancement/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #ldp #espionage #defenseministry #foreignministry #cabinet #npa #japanesepolice

Government ramps up push to enhance intelligence capabilities

As a first step, the government plans to establish a national intelligence bureau as early as July.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times May 13

The Philippines has become a key Indo-Pacific pivot, anchoring a growing network of allies, including the U.S. and Japan, aimed at deterring China and strengthening regional security and economic cooperation. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/05/12/japan/philippines-indo-pacific-pivot/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #philippinesusrelations #philippinesjapanrelations #philippines #china #us #usmilitary #defense #defenseministry #sdf #asean

The Philippines emerges as an Indo-Pacific security pivot

The rise of China refocused attention on the sprawling archipelago, given the country's critical location straddling Southeast Asian sea lanes.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times May 9

From sinking a mock enemy ship to counterlanding drills near Taiwan, Japan played an unprecedented role in military exercises in the Philippines, highlighting Tokyo's growing role in the regional security architecture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/09/japan/japan-sdf-balikatan-philippines-exercises-focus/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #philippinesjapanrelations #philippines #china #us #usmilitary #defense #defenseministry #sdf #missiles

From observer to contributor: Japan’s growing military role in Philippine drills

Several of the drills were conducted in northern Philippine areas facing Taiwan and the South China Sea, locations increasingly seen as central to deterrence planning.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times May 6

Japan did away with another postwar taboo on Wednesday, firing off Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles for the first time from the Philippines during joint military drills Wednesday that included the U.S. and others. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/06/japan/japan-philippines-military-exercises-missile-launch/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #philippinesjapanrelations #philippines #china #us #usmilitary #defense #defenseministry #sdf #missiles

Japan’s SDF fires anti-ship missiles for first time in Philippine military drills

The launches hit a mock enemy ship about 75 kilometers off the shores of Paoay, Ilocos Norte, in the country's northwest.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times May 5

Japan and the Philippines have agreed to establish a new body involving key defense officials from both countries, in a move expected to pave the way for an "early" transfer of used MSDF warships to Manila. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/05/japan/politics/japan-philippines-defense-ministers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #philippinesjapanrelations #philippines #china #defense #defenseministry #sdf #shinjirokoizumi

Japan eyes 'early' transfer of used warships and aircraft to Philippines

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro reached a wide-ranging deal to further promote defense equipment and technology cooperation.

The Japan Times

Mathrubhumi English May 1

If the Great Nicobar project proceeds in its current form, India may well gain a strategic foothold. It may also incur environmental and social costs that are far higher than necessary, for economic returns that are far from certain, says Harikrishnan S https://english.mathrubhumi.com/columns/great-nicobar-may-not-be-a-scam-but-it-may-be-too-much-fh0ygz3w?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #NationalSecurity #DefenseMinistry #Infrastructure

The Japan Times Apr 30

From "strategic flexibility" to trilateral ties with Japan: An interview with the head of the U.S. military in South Korea. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/30/asia-pacific/us-forces-korea-brunson-transcript/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #southkorea #philippines #us #usjapanrelations #northkorea #china #usmilitary #defense #sdf #defenseministry

A vision for the peninsula: Our interview with the head of the U.S. military in South Korea

A transcript of The Japan Times' interview with U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times Apr 28

The head of the U.S. military in South Korea has outlined a new concept to link the military capabilities of Seoul, Tokyo and Manila into a "kill web" in order to enable a more coordinated response to regional security. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/28/asia-pacific/us-forces-korea-kill-web/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #southkorea #philippines #us #usjapanrelations #northkorea #china #usmilitary #defense #sdf #defenseministry

Head of U.S. military in South Korea calls for ‘kill web’ linking Seoul, Tokyo and Manila

U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson said the strategy seeks to fuse the strengths of Washington's regional treaty allies into a single, networked system capable of coordinated actions.

The Japan Times

Israel News | Israel Hayom - www.israelhayom.com [Unofficial]Apr 21

'Here you have to wipe the tears, put on makeup, and go to work': The Israelis mourning their fallen abroad

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/04/21/israel-memorial-day-bereaved-families-diaspora-abroad/

Israeli bereaved families mourn alone abroad on Memorial Day | Israel Hayom

Forty-two bereaved families scattered across the diaspora – half of them lone soldiers' relatives – face Israel's Memorial Day in countries where the world keeps moving. Israel's Defense Ministry has built a quiet support network to reach them, but the grief of marking the day alone remains.