Current Events in Asia-Pacific

North Korea: Test Stand for Vertical Launch of Sea-Based Ballistic Missiles Spotted (38 North) Is North Korea Developing Sea-Based Ballistic Missiles? (The Diplomat)

Is this China's second aircraft carrier? (War is Boring blog)

Days after the announcement, Japan loosened decades-old restrictions on defence exports, in a long-anticipated change that will allow it to further ramp up arms sales, with analysts predicting some US allies — including Australia — will increasingly turn to Tokyo for key defence equipment ... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-27/us-allies-turn-to-japan-defence-supplies-as-iran-war-drags-on/106607656?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Its Boom Time for Naval Spy Planes (War is Boring blog)

Japan changes Iwo Jima name By Hans Greimel - The Associated Press Posted : Wednesday Jun 20, 2007 13:27:08 EDT TOKYO — Japan has changed the name of Iwo Jima, the volcanic island immortalized in one of World War II’s most brutal battles, to reflect the original name given by its inhabitants, the Japanese Geographical Survey Institute said. The new name is Iwo To, which will retain the same written characters and meaning — “Sulfur Island” — but is different when spoken. The name change was approved Monday by a joint geographical naming committee meeting between the survey institute and Japan’s coast guard, a statement from the institute said. An offic…

Japans Largest Warship Since World War II Takes To Sea (USNI News)

From Flight International DATE: 06/11/08 SOURCE: Flightglobal.com PICTURE: J-10 debuts at Airshow China 2008 By Barbara Cockburn China's J-10 strike fighter aircraft, made its debut during an aerial display on 4 November in front of a crowd of spectators at the 7th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, known as Airshow China, held in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

China has deployed PLANAF J-11 fighters to Woody Island (Phu Lam Island to Vietnam), largest island of the Paracels in the East Vietnam Sea. No reaction yet from the Vietnamese government (looking for a Chinese link probably from www.81.cn , photo showing J-11 with air-to-air loadout (2xPL-8+2xPL-15) landing in Phu Lam).

China's Carrier-Based J-15 Begins Mass Production, Delivery (The Diplomat, Flashpoints blog)

First images, and a clear attempt of dissinformative information ... http://www.warisboring.com/2012/06/24/a-ne...tealth-fighter/

http://theaviationist.com/2012/09/16/j-31/ Looks like a second PRC stealth fighter.

Very interesting images of J-31, including 4xAAM on the open weapons bay: http://airforceworld.com/pla/j21-fighter-shenyang-j31-chinese-stealth-jet.htm

Looks Like Chinas Sending a Stealth Fighter to Sea (War is Boring blog)

From Defense Aerospace Op-Ed: Japan & F-22: Why Not Reward a Reliable Ally? (Source: Lexington Institute; issued June 9, 2009) If there's one concept that the Obama Administration's national-security team really likes, it's partnering. Obama stressed global partnering when he was running for President, the security agenda posted on the White House web-site cites it as a key goal, and it is one of five "strategic principles" underpinning the quadrennial defense review. There's even a deputy secretary in the Pentagon's reorganized policy shop assigned to "partnership strategy." Of course, the Obama team didn't discover partnering. The Bush Administration's …

Japan pitches 'superior' warships in bid to clinch $10 billion Australian contract

With details of the DPRK's missile launches over the weekend ... From Aviation Week Japan Considering THAAD Missile Defense Jul 6, 2009 By Bradley Perrett Beijing Japan is considering adding the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system as a third layer to its ballistic-missile defenses, according to an official leak evidently prompted by North Korea’s July 4 tests of R-17 and Rodong rockets. Three or four installations of the Lockheed Martin THAAD system could cover all of Japan, says the Mainichi newspaper in an unattributed report presumed to be based on government-leaked information. THAAD’s range is secret, but the Mainichi’s sour…

From Defence Talk Japan is considering the Eurofighter Typhoon as a replacement for some of its ageing fighter jets, in what would be a surprise move for a country that has hitherto relied on the United States for combat aircraft. The Defence Ministry is examining its options as it plans to start replacing its fleet of 60 F-4 fighters as well as training aircraft in the next couple of years, the defence ministry said. "Of course we are considering the Eurofighter among other options," a spokesman at the Defence Ministry said. The Eurofighter is built by a consortium headed by BAE Systems, Europe's largest defence firm. The Rafale fighter jet manufactur…

From Defense Aerospace [it's been (and I'm sure, will continue to be) interesting to watch Japan's shifting attitude towards its constitution, the concept of self-defence and the role of nuclear arms. See, for example, my post on Oct 31/06. Stay tuned ... ] Japan Can Hold Nuclear Arms for Self-Defence: Govt (Source: ddi Indian Government news; issued Nov. 14, 2006) Japan has said that its constitution allows it to possess nuclear weapons as long as they are kept to a minimum level necessary for self-defence. However, the country has no intention of holding such arms, the government said in a statement. The statement, written in response to a question fr…

Japan doubles the number of F-15J based at Naha, Okinawa, to some 40 planes, near disputed Senkaku islands: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/31/national/japan-doubles-number-f-15s-okinawa-amid-senkaku-incursions-china/#.VrXZevnhDIU