JS Izumo

For the 11th year in a row, the budget draft set a new record for national defense spending as Japan continues to pursue its Defense Buildup Program.

It is almost certain that next year’s budget, when officially approved, will mark the 11th consecutive year of a record-high defense budget.

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

Multiple photos of the Yokosuka-based USS Ronald Reagan were also allegedly taken by a Chinese drone. The authenticity of the footage hasn’t been determined yet.

Japan has broken last year's record for its requested defense budget as security concerns mount in Tokyo.

Tokyo is striving to keep pace with China.

Japan is preparing to reconfigure the Izumo to accommodate U.S. stealth fighters, including F-35Bs.

For the second time this month, the two flattops conducted naval drills in the contested waters.

The Vietnamese People’s Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force held a joint naval exercise earlier this week.

The first-of-class JS Izumo made a port call in Vietnam this month, as part of its annual Indo-Pacific deployment.

The vessels conducted a range of bilateral drills.

The U.S. and Japanese carriers jointly participated in a number of naval drills to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

As part of its Indo-Pacific deployment this year, the JS Izumo is slated to make a port call in Vietnam.

The U.S. president boarded the flattop along with the Japanese prime minister on May 28 wrapping up his Japan trip.

Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force conducted a joint exercise in the Andaman Sea last week.

The exercise placed the spotlight on one of the region’s most important strategic chokepoints.

The U.S. president will likely board the Japanese flattop during a state visit to Japan in late May.

Japan’s two largest warships will be converted into aircraft carriers over the next five years.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to upgrade one of its flattops into a full-fledged aircraft carrier.

A study commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Defense concludes that its latest class of helicopter destroyers can be turned into full-fledged aircraft carriers.

What does Japan need to consider before pursuing F-35B fighters for its helicopter destroyers?

Blueprints reveal that Japan's latest class of helicopter destroyers has been designed to operate the F-35B.

Recent Japanese Ministry of Defense leaks are suggestive of plans to convert these so-called helicopter destroyers.

Japanese government sources indicate that the U.S. president has been invited to inspect Japan’s helicopter carrier.