Japan Air Maritime Self-Defense Force

Russian-Chinese Warship Group Pulls into Qingdao

JMSDF Image

A joint Russian-People’s Liberation Army navy warship group docked at Qingdao, China on Monday. Meanwhile, the Philippines carried out a successful resupply of its outpost in the disputed Spratly Islands on Tuesday.

On Monday, a joint flotilla comprised of Russian Navy destroyers RFS Admiral Panteleyev (548) and RFS Admiral Tributs (564); corvette RFS Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov (339); and fleet tanker Pechenga; and PLAN destroyers CNS Guiyang (119) and CNS Qiqiha...

https://news.usni.org/2023/08/22/russian-chinese-warship-group-pulls-into-qingdao

Russian, Chinese Warships Operated Near Alaska, Say Senators

JSDF Image

A joint Russian and Chinese flotilla sailed near Alaska and the Aleutian Islands earlier this week, two Alaska lawmakers said on Sunday.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said in a joint statement on Saturday they were given a detailed briefing on the joint flotilla and said it comprised of eleven ships.

The pair confirmed that four U.S. Navy destroyers along with a P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft had been despatched to the location of the flotilla,...

https://news.usni.org/2023/08/06/russian-chinese-warships-operated-near-alaska-say-senators

Joint Russian, Chinese Flotilla Underway Off Japan; Recovery Operations Begin for Crashed Australian Helicopter

JMSDF Image

A group of 10 Russian and Chinese warships patrolled near Japan and sailed through the La Perouse Strait from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk over the weekend, the Japan Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.

The Chinese-Russian flotilla was sighted at 3 p.m. Friday, sailing northeast in an area 125 miles southwest of Rebun Island, which lies 31 miles off the northern tip of the main island of Hokkaido, Japanese officials said in a Friday statement.

The People’s Liberation...

https://news.usni.org/2023/07/31/joint-russian-chinese-flotilla-underway-off-japan-recovery-operations-begin-for-crashed-australian-helicopter

Japan Warns World Facing its Greatest Post-WWII Period of Crisis

JS Suzutsuki conducted a bilateral exercise with the French Navy Charles de Gaulle CSG in the vicinity of Western Arabian Sea. JMSDF Photo

Japanese defense officials warned the international community is facing its greatest post-war trial and has entered a new era of crisis. At the same time, Tokyo identified China, Russia and North Korea as the countries that pose a threat to Japan, according to the “Defense of Japan 2023” white paper.

The release follows the latest revisions to the national...

https://news.usni.org/2023/07/28/japan-warns-world-facing-its-greatest-post-wwii-period-of-crisis

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Makes Port Call to Bali; Russians, Chinese Start Naval Drills

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), anchors in Bali, Indonesia, for a scheduled port visit, July 16, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) made a port call to Bali, Indonesia, Sunday for a port visit following routine operations in the Indian Ocean.
Carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), together with cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), arrived at Tanjung Benoa Dock Sunday with the CSG escorted in from the Sea of Bali to the dock by Indonesian Navy...

https://news.usni.org/2023/07/17/carrier-uss-ronald-reagan-vists-bali-russians-chinese-start-naval-drills

Chinese Warships Circle Japan, Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Prepare for Spring Patrol

JMSDF Photo

Chinese warships have been circling the Japanese home islands for the last week, according to the Joint Staff Office (JSO) of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

People’s Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyers CNS Guiyang (119) and CNS Qiqihar (121) and fleet oiler CNS Taihu (889) were seen Friday sailing northeast in an area 25 miles northwest of Rebun island, which lies 30 miles off the northwest tip off the main island of Hokkaido.

Cruiser CNS Lhasa (102) and frigate CNS Zaozhuang

https://news.usni.org/2023/05/09/chinese-warships-circle-japan-aircraft-carrier-uss-ronald-reagan-prepare-for-spring-patrol

2022 Defense of Japan Report

The following is the Japanese Ministry of Defense 2022 White Paper Defense of Japan released this week.

From the report

The international community is currently facing its greatest trial since WWII. It is not an exaggeration to say that we have entered a new period of crisis in the twenty-first century. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has shocked the world, with the loss of countless innocent civilians’ lives giving rise to deep indignation and grief. Such unilateral changes to the status quo...

https://news.usni.org/2022/08/24/2022-defense-of-japan-report

2021 Defense of Japan Report

The following is the Japanese Ministry of Defense 2021 White Paper Defense of Japan released this week.

From the report

In the year 2020, not only did the entire world face unprecedented difficulties due to COVID-19, but various security challenges and destabilizing factors became more tangible and acute, and the international order based on universal values, which has underpinned the peace and prosperity of the international community, has been greatly tested.

Looking at the situation around...

https://news.usni.org/2021/07/15/2021-defense-of-japan-report

Report to Congress on Japan-U.S. Relations

The following is the April 6, 2021 Congressional Research Service report, Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress.

From the report

Japan is a significant partner of the United States in a number of foreign policy areas, including addressing regional security concerns, which range from hedging against Chinese military modernization to countering threats from North Korea. The U.S.-Japan military alliance, formed in 1952, grants the U.S. military the right to base U.S. troops—currently around...

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/09/report-to-congress-on-japan-u-s-relations

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