Japan Forward – The new long-range missile deployment marks a major strategic shift, boosting deterrence while testing constitutional limits, costs, and integration.

Naval News – Japan has taken a major step in advancing its stand-off defense capabilities, with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) announcing on March 31 the first operational deployment of two domestically developed longer-range missile systems—alongside their formal redesignation as “Type 25” weapons.

Naval News – The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced that the JS Chōkai (DDG-176) has completed crew training and ship modification, enabling the employment of RGM-109 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

Naval News – On March 23, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) formally disbanded its long-standing “Fleet Escort Force” (護衛艦隊) and established a new “Fleet Surface Force” (水上艦隊), marking its most sweeping organizational overhaul since 1954.

National Interest – Diesel-electric submarines like the Taigei class offer Japan a fearsome weapon against China—at a fraction of the cost of cutting-edge American ones.

The Diplomat – In March 2026, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will undertake its most sweeping organizational restructuring since its establishment in 1954. The “Fleet Escort Force” (護衛艦隊), created in 1961 and long regarded as the backbone of Japan’s surface fleet, will be formally dissolved. In its place, the JMSDF will establish a new “Fleet Surface Force” (水上艦隊). At the same time, it will stand up an “Information Warfare/Operations Command” (情報作戦集団), integrating intelligence, cyber, and oceanographic functions into a unified operational nerve center.

The War Zone – One of the many capabilities of the new SSM is the ability to spiral during its attack run to help evade close-in gun systems.

USNI News – The U.S. and Japan have pledged to further expand joint training across Japan’s southwest region, including the first island chain, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Thursday.

Naval News – In December 2025, Japan responded in an unusual manner to activities conducted by Chinese Navy vessels in waters near Japan: JASDF F-2 fighters were observed with a combined total of 64 anti-ship missiles.

USNI News – The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) will procure the next generation of Japanese anti-landing craft missiles next year as Tokyo prioritizes coastal defense systems to defend its southwestern islands.

The War Zone – Yonaguni Island recently hosted U.S. Marines and now Japan is looking to deploy air defenses there, which could expand to other kinetic capabilities.

The Diplomat – National preparedness for a cross-strait emergency has been far behind what is necessary.

CIMSEC – Recurring PLA operations and increased bilateral training with Russian military forces constitute a challenge backed by military threats close to Japan’s territorial waters.

Breaking Defense – China’s unprecedented deployment of two aircraft carrier groups this summer provided Japanese surveillance aircraft with a wealth of information about the ships, a Japanese official told Breaking Defense, though the People’s Liberation Army — Navy (PLAN) made sure it wasn’t too easy to gather.

Japanese Ministry of Defense – This year’s defense white paper from the Japanese MOD.

The War Zone – As well as a new sub-launched cruise missile, Japan will be getting upgraded versions of its Type 12 anti-ship missile for its surface combatants.

USNI News – Japan’s largest minelayer practiced defending a chain of strategic islands near Taiwan last week in what Tokyo described as a demonstration of “determination not to allow unilateral changes to the status quo by force.”

Naval News – The Japanese Ministry of Defense has revised the hull classification symbols for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels effective October 2024. The change adds two new symbols, “CG” and “CVM,” which will be applied to upcoming ship types.

Defence Blog – Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has announced the successful completion of offshore firing trials using an electromagnetic railgun.

(Thanks to Alain)

Global Times – Japan is using a large coast guard drone, the SeaGuardian, to monitor the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, according to Kyodo News on Tuesday. A Chinese military expert said that if Japan’s military drones intrude into the airspace of China’s Diaoyu Islands, such new illegal activities will further complicate the situation, and China will take corresponding countermeasures.

Navy Lookout – HMS Prince of Wales has concluded a landmark series of joint operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force in the Philippine Sea, the first time a UK jet has landed on a Japanese warship. The exercise, part of Operation HIGHMAST, brought together four powerful multinational task groups.

Naval News – On August 7, Japan deployed its first three F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki prefecture on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, according to the JASDF.

Breaking Defense – The US ally currently has the largest number of F-35s on order outside of the United States, with plans for 157 jets split into 105 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft and 42 F-35Bs.

USNI News – Officials in Tokyo released their Defense of Japan 2025 white paper this week with findings the international community is facing its greatest risk of conflict since World War II. The paper pointed to Russia, China and North Korea as primary regional security threats. The report also found U.S. U.S.-China strategic competition has been escalating and that the military balance between China and Taiwan has been rapidly tilting in China’s favor.

Naval News – Since the 2010s, Japan has been compelled to respond to China’s maritime expansion and military buildup. A particularly critical issue has been how to defend Japan’s remote islands and key island chains in the East China Sea, commonly known as the Nansei Islands. To address this challenge, the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), a specialized force for initial defense operations, was established in March 2018.