Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)

Phnom Penh is eager to demonstrate that Ream Naval Base will be open to foreign navies, though Western suspicions are likely to persist.

With the unprecedented move this time, Japan now joined the other Western countries engaging in freedom-of-navigation exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

It’s a crucial step for Tokyo’s ambition to convert two Izumo-class vessels into fully-fledged aircraft carriers.

The ministry says “it is taking this extremely seriously as it could pose a serious hindrance to national defense,” and is urgently taking countermeasures.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s naval diplomacy mission has expanded to meet foreign policy needs.

Japan’s minister of defense said the cause was still being investigated, but called a mid-air collision a “high possibility.”

The JMSDF chief praised the move as “a sign of the high trust and evaluation” of Japanese defense equipment.

Tokyo’s spending on uncrewed systems and capabilities appears to have risen considerably.

The JS Hakugei, like others of its class, is equipped with lithium-ion batteries.

From strong representation among Asian navies to a “coincidence” involving a U.S. aircraft carrier.

Japan’s upcoming naval fleet review will be a litmus test for South Korea’s Yoon administration to improve bilateral ties.

The newly launched Jingei SSK is expected to enter service in March 2024.

Starting in late October, the USAF will station the UAVs on Kyushu, a move designed to strengthen Japan’s maritime surveillance.

The new ships are supposed to be both more capable and more automated than current vessels.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is pursuing more compact ships to counter China and Russia in the East China Sea and broader Indo-Pacific.

Notably, the Mogami class will boast the first unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and unmanned surface vehicle (USV) deployed on a Japanese frigate.

The JMSDF has relied on civilian ships to transport fuel from oil refineries to bases. Now it has its own oil tanker, the first of two.

The exercise was seen as a signal to North Korea, as experts expect more missile or possibly nuclear tests in coming weeks.

The Kumano is the first of a planned 22 vessels of the class, which will include capabilities never seen before on a Japanese frigate.

Submarine-launched missiles could give Tokyo the much-debated “enemy base attack capability.”

The new frigate class is intended for surveillance missions in waters surrounding the Japanese archipelago, including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

JS Taigei is first of a larger, quieter class to face increasingly assertive Chinese warships.

Acrimonious Iran-U.S relations haven’t deterred Prime Minister Abe, who is on a scheduled tour of the Middle East under the banner of “peace diplomacy.” 

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s newest diesel-electric attack submarine was commissioned on March 18.