Japan's Military Build Up

[HMS Astute]

Japan Just Held A First-Of-Its-Kind Live Fire Exercise On Mount Fuji

In the shadow of rising tensions in the East China Sea, Japan is holding live fire exercise in the foothills of Mount Fuji until Sunday. Japan has held annual military exercises aimed at protecting its northern territories along its maritime frontier with Russia, although present realities have led to Japan shifting its priorities to island defence.

The exercises, called Fire Power, are aimed at defending outlying Japanese islands from a hypothetical invasion. Fire Power is a first-of-its-kind exercise and follows new national defence guidelines.

The exercise included battle tanks, helicopters, and elite soldiers displaying tactics that could be used if Japan needs to defend, or retake, its island territory in the East China Sea. Altogether, the exercise included 2,300 troops, 20 aircraft, and 80 tanks and other armoured vehicles.

Tensions have been steadily increasing in East Asia as China has flexed its muscle, laying claim to places like the Senkaku Islands, which Japan currently views as sovereign territory. The strained relationship between the nations has raised the specter of modern-day great power conflict, and led to direct military competition between Japan and China.

 

[Srinivas_K]

Japanese Military build up is for defending their territory and to protect themselves from Chinese bullying.

 

[HMS Astute]

JAPAN ADVANCES PLAN FOR ANOTHER AIR-CAPABLE ASSAULT SHIP

The Japanese defense ministry has brought forward a proposal to construct at least one large amphibious assault ship that will enlarge the country's naval aviation capability. The program may also enhance sales prospects for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, and the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightening II.

Japan Advances Plan For Another Air-Capable Assault Ship | global aviation report

 

[HMS Astute]

 

[HMS Astute]

 

[HMS Astute]

Japan to Permit Logistical Support to US Forces

August 20 (RIA Novosti) - The Japanese government is reinterpreting current guidelines in order to allow the Self-Defense Forces' (SDF) to provide logistical support to US forces in the event of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Wednesday.

The new policy would permit Japan to provide the US with arms, ammunition and airborne refueling to military fighter jets. Changes to current Japan-US Defense Cooperation Guidelines are to be included in an interim report scheduled for September, The Yomiuri Shimbun confirmed.

The current Japan-US guidelines provide a general framework for the roles of both nations in cooperation under normal and emergency circumstances, according to the Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The guidelines require Japan to act in line with its constitution and both the United States and Japan to abide by the basic principles of international law. However, the current guidelines do not include a policy enabling Japan to provide logistical support to the US.

Japan to Permit Logistical Support to US Forces | Military & Intelligence | RIA Novosti

 

[Srinivas_K]

Nice Pics !!!

 

[HMS Astute]

UK and Japan To Jointly Develop Arms

LONDON and TOKYO — Just four months after Japan announced a ground-breaking relaxation of restrictions on the development of defense equipment with foreign partners, Tokyo is taking its first steps toward a deal with the British government. The foreign ministers of Japan and Britain have pledged to strengthen cooperation in the areas of maritime security and defense as Japan eases its guidelines on the overseas transfer of defense equipment and technology.

Japan is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding covering future partnering in the defense and research sector with the British as part of a planned April 10 summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his counterpart, David Cameron.

A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, "The U.K. will continue to work with the Japanese MoD to identify the best opportunities for our defense industries to cooperate on equipment projects following the announcement of changes to the Japanese policy on overseas transfer of defense equipment." Two areas might be mine detection and clearing, where the U.K. and Japan have complementary technology, as well as nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) suits, he said.

Recent U.K. government export licensing applications show the British already provide components for the NBC market in Japan. There may also be cooperation in field artillery, with Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces interested in BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems M777 howitzer, he said.

 

[HMS Astute]

Japan looking to buy more stealth fighters in 2015

TOKYO — Japan plans to seek funding to buy six F-35 stealth fighter jets in next year's budget to strengthen defense of remote southwestern islands against China, which has grown increasingly assertive at sea and in the air, the Nikkei reported.

The Ministry of Defense intends to ask that 124.9 billion yen be set aside, the Nikkei said Wednesday.

Air Self-Defense Force hopes to buy 42 of the aircraft in all to replace its fleet of aging F-4 fighters, the Nikkei said.

Japan has bought ten F-35s stealth fighters since 2012, but this will mark its first time buying six in a single year. The ministry will also seek 54 billion yen to buy three surveillance drones capable of extended flight, the Japanese daily said.

The ministry is also expected to request 58.8 billion yen for new airborne early-warning aircraft, the Nikkei added.

By the end of 2014, the ministry will choose between Northrop Grumman Corp's E-2D and a Boeing Co plane, the daily said.

Defense-related budget requests for fiscal 2015 are also expected to include 13.7 billion yen for improving the capability of E-767 airborne warning and control system aircraft, 10 billion yen for repairing eight F-15 fighters, and 8.2 billion yen for buying surface-to-air missiles, the Nikkei added.

Japan looking to buy more stealth fighters in 2015 "¹ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion