The Japan TimesOct 2, 2025
The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, marking 10 years since its founding, is playing a larger role as the control tower for the unified management of defense equipment research and development and exports. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/02/japan/defense-equipment-agency-role/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #atla #defense #gennakatani #defenseministry
10 years on, Japan's defense equipment agency playing greater role

While boosting its defense cooperation with like-minded countries, Japan has a lot to do to enhance defense equipment production amid an increasingly severe security environment.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 8, 2025
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back have agreed to make mutual visits a regular practice and stake out areas of high-tech defense cooperation. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/08/japan/politics/japan-south-korea-defense-ministers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #southkorea #southkoreajapanrelations #gennakatani #ahngyuback #defenseministry #defense #northkorea #shigeruishiba #leejaemyung
Japan and South Korea defense chiefs agree to regular visits, tech cooperation

The agreement emerged during a visit by Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to South Korea, the first by a Japanese defense chief in a decade.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 6, 2025
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani will visit South Korea for three days from Monday in the first visit to the country by a Japanese defense chief in 10 years. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/06/japan/politics/japan-defense-chief-south-korea-trip/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #southkoreajapanrelations #gennakatani #southkorea
Japan defense chief to make first visit to South Korea in 10 years

It will also be the first time since South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration that the two countries' defense ministers have met in person.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 5, 2025
Days after China paraded advanced new weapons, Japan and Australia agreed to take defense and security ties to new heights and cooperate on evacuating each other's nationals from third countries in the event of a crisis. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/05/japan/politics/japan-australia-defense/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #australiajapanrelations #defense #gennakatani #takeshiiwaya #mogami #china
After China’s military parade, Japan and Australia agree to elevate defense ties

The countries’ top diplomats and defense chiefs committed to deepening collective deterrence amid shared concerns over the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesAug 20, 2025
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Turkish counterpart have pledged to boost defense tie-ups between both countries as Tokyo weighs the possibility of purchasing drones from the NATO member. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/20/japan/politics/japan-turkey-defense-chiefs/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #turkeyjapanrelations #turkey #defense #drones #gennakatani #defenseministry #budgets
Japanese, Turkish defense chiefs pledge industry tie-ups, as Tokyo eyes drones

While drones were not explicitly mentioned by either side in readouts of the meeting, they were believed to have featured prominently in discussions.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJul 29, 2025
Japan is still considering deployment locations for its longer-range standoff missiles, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Tuesday, with the weapons planned to be stationed by the end of next March. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/29/japan/politics/japan-long-range-missiles/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #defense #defenseministry #missiles #gennakatani #sdf #china #northkorea
Japan eyes locations for deploying longer-range standoff missiles

The defense minister said that the location for the weapons, due to be deployed by next March, has yet to be decided — though reports called Kumamoto Prefecture a top candidate.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJul 29, 2025
Japan has unveiled its first guidelines aimed at bolstering its defenses in outer space, a move that comes as China and Russia have been developing “killer satellites” intended to destroy or damage rivals’ space assets. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/29/japan/politics/japan-space-defense-guidelines/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sdf #defenseministry #china #russia #space #defense #gennakatani
‘Killer satellites’ beware: Japan unveils first space defense guidelines

The guidelines outline plans to protect Japanese satellites, while promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors on cutting-edge tech.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJun 19, 2025
As the conflict in Israel and Iran continues to intensify, Japan has said it is deploying Self-Defense Forces aircraft to Djibouti to be on standby for a possible air evacuation of Japanese nationals. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/19/japan/sdf-plane-japanese-evacuation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #selfdefenseforces #defenseministry #gennakatani #israel #iran #djibouti
SDF planes fly to Djibouti to aid return of Japan nationals from Israel and Iran

There are currently around 1,000 Japanese people in Israel and 280 in Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJun 2, 2025
The U.S. has asked Australia to swiftly raise its defense spending to 3.5% of its gross domestic product — a move that could signal a similar demand for Japan is on the horizon. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/02/asia-pacific/politics/us-australia-defense-spending/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #australia #us #defense #richardmarles #petehegseth #gennakatani #defenseministry #budgets #china #usjapanrelations #donaldtrump
U.S demands Australia increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP

Officials in Tokyo are closely watching how U.S.-Australia defense spending talks unfold, with U.S. President Donald Trump thought to be pushing Japan to also spend more.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJun 1, 2025
Japan and Philippine defense ministers on Sunday agreed to strengthen cooperation amid China’s growing military activity in the East and South China seas. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/06/01/japan/japan-philippines-defense-cooperation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #gennakatani #philippines #gilbertoteodoro #philippinejapanrelations #defense
Japan, Philippines agree to strengthen defense cooperation

The two ministers confirmed expanding joint exercises after signing a reciprocal access agreement to ease military visits between their countries.

The Japan Times