Japan Faces Readiness Hurdle As it Modernizes Military, Former Defense Chief Says

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 Chinook, lands on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during a bilateral simulated casualty pick up in the Philippine Sea, March 10, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

Japan’s toughest hurdle, as it launches an unprecedented military modernization program and doubles defense spending, is the operational readiness of its air, naval and land forces, a former chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said Thursday.

Japan is “running out of maintenance...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/17/japan-faces-readiness-hurdle-as-it-modernizes-military-former-defense-chief-says

Chinese Ships Spotted Near Senkaku Islands, India Takes Carrier Delivery

Jandao-class small frigate (615). JSDF Photo

Three Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) hydrographic survey ships transited the Japanese Straits this week while a PLAN corvette sailed south past the Senkaku Islands last week, according to Japan Ministry of Defense releases.

On July 22, a PLAN corvette was sighted sailing about 50 miles west of Uotsuri Islands, part of the Senkaku Islands, according to the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Subsequently, the corvette sailed south between Yonaguni...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/29/chinese-ships-spotted-near-senkaku-islands-india-takes-carrier-delivery