Japan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

strehl said:

Japan already has the Aegis SM3 and will soon have a Block II significantly more capable than THAAD (even the Block I is more capable). PAC, THAAD, and SM3 are all defensive missiles and Japan has no national nuclear weapons. I would be more worried about "provoking" a situation leading to a nuclear armed Japan which would probably result in a nuclear armed South Korea as well.

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1. Independent foreign policy
2. A military commensurate with its comprehensive national power
3. Recognition by the other Asia-Pacific great powers Tokyo is an equal member, with the rights and responsibilities of leadership
4. A seat in the UN Security Council as a Permanent Member (along with India)

• Do nothing isn't an option because current events are generating more tensions and not less
• G-2 isn't in the offing, because neither Washington nor Beijing is willing to go for it. In addition, it's questionable if regional countries would support it
• CICA "Asia for Asians" is also unworkable because it excludes the US
  
• SEATO is a non-starter
• ASEAN is a debate club
• APEC doesn't address security issues

Blackstone said:

I don't believe, in the long-run, a nuclear-armed Japan would be destabilizing. To the contrary, it might have the opposite effect and contribute to regional stability. This isn't to say Japan *should* build nuclear weapons, even in the unlike event its anti-nuke populace would support it.

For many reasons, Asia is geopolitically messy right now, and heading in the wrong direction. One way it could regain and retain stability is through a concert of Asia's four great powers, US, China, India, and Japan. But, for Japan to perform its part as a great power, its necessary for it to go back and be a normal country. And by "normal," I mean;

1. Independent foreign policy
2. A military commensurate with its comprehensive national power
3. Recognition by the other Asia-Pacific great powers Tokyo is an equal member, with the rights and responsibilities of leadership
4. A seat in the UN Security Council as a Permanent Member (along with India)

I'll bet dollars to donuts it wouldn't be popular with Beijing or the Chinese people, but what are the alternatives?

• Do nothing isn't an option because current events are generating more tensions and not less
• G-2 isn't in the offing, because neither Washington nor Beijing is willing to go for it. In addition, it's questionable if regional countries would support it
• CICA "Asia for Asians" is also unworkable because it excludes the US
  
• SEATO is a non-starter
• ASEAN is a debate club
• APEC doesn't address security issues

A concert of Asia-Pacific is more promising than any of the above, but it means China must accept Japan as a "normal" country and a fellow great power. I'm not sure I like the idea of a fully armed Japan, with nuclear weapons, but I like the alternatives even less. In my view, it's the least 'bad' option. And then, there's the possibility Japan really has renounced its militaristic past, right...?

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Japan Times said:

Japan on Monday submitted its bid for Australia’s multi-billion dollar submarine contract, a deal that France and Germany are also desperate to win.

Australia has solicited bids for a project worth up to 50 billion Australian dollars ($36 billion) to replace its current diesel-electric Collins-class submarines, with a Monday deadline to submit final proposals.

A Defense Ministry official in Tokyo said Japan’s proposal includes plans to build the submarines in Australia, which is keen to secure more jobs in connection with the project.

The Abe administration substantially relaxed regulations on arms exports in April 2014. Winning the Australian sub deal would provide major impetus to Japan’s plans to export defense equipment to countries such as India and the Philippines.

Australia plans to spend some AU$20 billion to build as many as 12 submarines to replace its aging fleet.

The government-led Japanese team with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. has proposed the world’s first lithium ion battery-powered submarines against Germany’s plan to enlarge its export model and France’s nuclear subs.

Rival bidders DCNS SA of France and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH of Germany have also offered to build the submarines in Australia and generate jobs.

The Defense Ministry official said Japan is “confident” its proposal will win, without disclosing further details, including proposed expenses and the construction period.

During a visit to Australia in November, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said picking Japan could help ensure maritime security in the Asia-Pacific, alluding to the importance of regional allies such as the U.S., Japan and Australia working together in the face of China’s growing military might.

For Australia, cooperating with Japan on a defense project risks angering China, its biggest trading partner.

The tender process has been politically sensitive, with Canberra keen to maximize Australian industry involvement and jobs. There are fears that an off-the-shelf purchase would kill off the domestic shipbuilding industry.

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Japan preparing to test-fly MHI-built stealth jet
Japan is closing in on becoming the fourth nation to test fly its own stealth jet, a move that could further antagonize neighboring Asian countries that oppose Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s bid to strengthen the role of the Self-Defense Forces.

The aircraft is scheduled to make its maiden flight within the first three months of next year, Hirofumi Doi, a program manager at the Defense Ministry, said in an interview in Tokyo. The plane, called Advanced Technology Demonstrator X, will then be handed over to the SDF, which will start conducting its own tests, he said.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.-made plane builds on Abe’s military ambitions after he succeeded in pushing through U.S.-endorsed legislation to allow Japanese forces to fight in overseas conflicts, despite concerns voiced abroad and at home. Japanese militarism is a particularly sensitive topic for China and South Korea because of the aggression they endured before and during World War II..... to read more

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TerraN_EmpirE said:

It's a Technology Demonstrator for stealth systems not combat needs..It's about Developing a indigenous Low observable high performance flight rated technologies.
This is not F22 or the latest J20 or T50 it's not a combat design just yet it's a proof of concept If you want an analog then YF22 the early concept demo for the USAF that would be The Mother of F22 or the Earlier J20 Smaller, Unarmed and with structural differences.

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LesAdieux said:

it's way too small to be called a demonstrator, it cannot have an internal weapon bay,so all weapons must be carried outside...

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SamuraiBlue said:

For those who are interested;

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