Japan launches 2 intelligence satellites as tensions rise with North Korea

Japan launched two intelligence satellites into orbit on Sunday amid growing concerns that North Korea is planning to test more rockets of its own and possibly conduct a nuclear test.
Officials say the launch Sunday of the domestically produced HII-A rocket went smoothly and the satellites -- an operational radar satellite and an experimental optical probe -- appear to have reached orbit.
Japan began its intelligence satellite program after North Korea fired a long-range missile over Japan's main island in 1998. North Korea conducted a launch last month that it says carried a satellite into orbit but has been condemned by the U.S. and others as a cover for its development of missile technology.
The latest Japanese launch was in the planning stages long before the current increase in tensions with North Korea, but underscores Japan's longstanding wariness of its isolated neighbor's abilities and intentions.
The radar satellite, which can provide intelligence through cloud cover and at night, is intended to augment a network of several probes that Japan already has in orbit. The optical probe will be used to test future technology and improvements that would allow Japan to strengthen its surveillance capabilities.
Japan still relies on the United States for much of its intelligence.

Japan’s Navy: Sailing Towards the Future

While Japan's dispute with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands has been notable for a number of reasons — mostly negative — one of the few positive elements has been the refusal of either side to send in the military. That may have changed with the recent deployment of Chengdu J-10 and Mitsubishi/Boeing F-15 fighter aircraft after a Chinese Y-8 maritime patrol aircraft headed toward the islands, but so far, at least, the confrontations have been limited to coast guard and other maritime paramilitary organizations.
For military strategists – and defense journalists – that means we are still in the dark as to how the two countries' navies would handle such a contingency. China's development into a full spectrum, blue-water navy is well catalogued, whether it is the commissioning of its Type 071 landing platform docks (LPDs), new Type 52D frigates, Type 51A destroyers or Liaoning, its Kusnetsov-class aircraft carrier. But what about Japan?
Back in October 2012, James Holmes argued convincingly that Japan had a “Cold War navy” designed to fill specific niches in a mutually beneficial partnership with the United States.“Under the division of labor worked out between the two navies, the U.S. Navy supplied the offensive firepower, manifest in aircraft carriers and other high-end implements of war. The defensive-minded JMSDF [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] acted as a gapfiller, making itself proficient at niche missions like minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare, and offensive submarine warfare."
I'm not about to argue with that assessment, which brings us to the next point: is Japan doing anything to change this situation, and if so, what?

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Speaking to IHS Jane's Navy International in October, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of staff at the JMSDF, sounded like he was more interested in steadying the ship than bringing new capabilities on board. He highlighted Japan's role in recent international minesweeping drills and new procurements such as a 5,000-ton anti-submarine warfare (ASW) destroyer; two Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPAs) to replace ageing P-3C Orions; and modernization of the service's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

MV-22 Ospreys Conduct First Flights in Japan

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 aircrews conducted MV-22B Osprey functional check flights aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 21, 2012, marking the first time the Osprey has flown in Japan.

Once VMM-265, a part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, completes functional check flights and pilot proficiency flights at MCAS Iwakuni, its Ospreys will be based at and operate out of MCAS Futenma.

Basing the Osprey in Okinawa will significantly strengthen the United States’ ability to provide for the defense of Japan, perform humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and fulfill other alliance roles.

The aircraft first arrived in Japan at the end of July to the port facility here via commercial ship from San Diego, Calif. After arriving, the Ospreys were off-loaded, inspected, and prepared for flight operations. In recognition of the Government of Japan’s concerns about the aircraft’s safety, the United States Government refrained from any MV-22B flight operations in Japan until the results of mishap investigations were presented to the Government of Japan and the safety of flight operations was confirmed.

This information was presented to the Government of Japan during September. The Marine Corps will modernize its fleet with MV-22B tiltrotor aircraft and remove CH-46E helicopters from service on a one-to-one basis.

After eleven years of diet, Tokyo will increase its defense budget

Rising diplomatic tensions with China pushing Tokyo to grant an extension for its financial self-defense forces.

After eleven years of diet, Tokyo will increase its defense budget. The Japanese military could thank their Chinese counterparts. Yesterday, the Japanese government, which is worried openly bustle of ships and aircraft in Chinese East China Sea around Senkaku islands controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by Beijing, has approved a supplementary budget for the Department of immediate Defense, which was previously forced to collect regularly cuts his funding. Self-defense forces - according to the official term "army" Japanese since the adoption by the country after the Second World War, a pacifist constitution - will immediately receive an additional 210 billion yen ($ 2.4 billion) collected on 13,100 billion yen stimulus plan finalized yesterday by the executive. According to the Ministry of Defense, some of the new funds should be used to acquire such anti-missile systems to respond to the "hardening of the security environment of the country." Behind the scenes, are the tensions with China are singled out.

Redeploy its troops

After seeing its budget stagnate or decline over the past eleven years, the Ministry of Defence is also expected to see validate its claim up 2.7% in the fiscal year starting in April. Twelve months, the Japanese army could thus benefit from 4,800 billion yen, or $ 54.1 billion. This amount equivalent to the sixth largest military budget in the world but remain well below the amounts released by the United States and China.According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States would have spent in 2011, $ 711 billion for their army when unblocked Beijing, for its part, $ 143 billion. In France, the military budget amounted then to $ 62.5 billion.

The same fear of provocation Chinese South China Sea should also encourage the new Japanese government to overhaul, by the end of 2013, his defense strategy for such redeploy its troops and equipment in southern Archipelago, while a large part still based in the north. Most nationalist leaders, led by Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister should also advocate for a quick "reinterpretation" of the Constitution that would allow Japanese troops to participate in the actions of "collective self-defense", which would include a possible armed intervention with allied forces would find themselves assaulted. This would be a first step towards the abandonment of the pacifist doctrine.

F-35B Joint Strike Fighters and More V-22 Ospreys Destined For Japanese Bases

Late in 2012, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta Revealed public comments in United States que la Intended to send the first overseas contingent of F-35B Lightning IIs to the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni at, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture Japan on the southeastern coast of the archipelago's main island of Honshu. Secretary Panetta STATED That this move will go far in Strengthening America's security posture in the Asia-Pacific region and will Represent the first overseas operational deployment of the controversial stealth fighter. The aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Japan by 2017.

The U.S. Navy's F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) version of the Lightning II is designed to meet the needs of single U.S. Navy and Marine amphibious assault operations. Deploying the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to forward-based units in the Pacific is in keeping with the Obama administration's "Asia-Pacific hub." This pivot Entails relocating the bulk of U.S. forces to the Pacific region to Reinforce America's presence in the area . The revised defense policy places the greatest emphasis on maritime trade routes Protecting and Strengthening stability in the Asian-Pacific area, a area of ​​the world economic and MOST defense analysts agree Represents A Relatively untapped market of huge potential growth.

China's surprising advances in military technology and a significant growth in the size and capabilities of Chinese military forces, coupled with North Korea's unexpected proficiency in missile and rocket technology Have reinforced America's determination to focus more carefully on the area of ​​the world with the greatest potential for economic growth.

On 10 January, the United States Notified Japan intends to begin That It Deploying ten year initial quota of U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey tilt rotor transport to the Kadena Air Force Base on the southernmost island of Okinawa in about two years.

Japan scrambles eight fighter jets to intercept Chinese plane near Diaoyus

Japan scrambled fighter jets on Saturday to head off a Chinese state-owned plane that flew near the disputed Diaoyu islands, which Japan calls the Senkakus, a Japanese Defence Ministry spokesman said.
Japanese jets were mobilised after a Chinese maritime aircraft ventured 120 kilometres north of islands at about noon, the spokesman said.
The Chinese Y-12 twin-turboprop later left the zone without entering Japanese airspace, he added.
It was the first time Japanese fighters had been scrambled this year to counter Chinese aircraft approaching the islands, the spokesman said.
Japan dispatched eight F-15 fighter jets to the area on December 13 after its coast guard spotted a Chinese marine surveillance plane near the isles, with its foreign ministry describing the flight as a "further dangerous act" that "escalates the situation". China protested a day later that Japanese military planes entered its airspace near the islands.
The dispute over control of the islands in the East China Sea has strained relations between Asia's two biggest economies and stoked fears of an arms build-up in the region. Japan's new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, vowed in his New Year message to "defend our land, airspace and territorial waters".

Japan Sends Fighter Jets In Response To Another Chinese Incursion Into Their Disputed Airspace

China's first ever invasion of Japan's airspace happened just weeks ago, but the move appears to becoming a routine addition to the burgeoning standoff.

The AFP now reports:

Japan scrambled fighter jets on Saturday to head off a Chinese state-owned plane that flew near islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, a Japanese Defense Ministry spokesman said.

The Japanese jets were mobilized after a Chinese maritime aircraft ventured some 120 kilometres (74 miles) north of the Senkaku islands, which China calls the Diaoyus, at around 12:00 pm (0300 GMT), the spokesman said. The Chinese Y-12 twin-turboprop later left the zone without entering Japanese airspace over the islands, he added. It was the first time Japanese fighter jets had been scrambled this year to counter Chinese aircraft approaching the islands, the spokesman said.

This second round of confrontation in the skies comes after Japan dispatched eight fighter jets last month after provocations in the same region of the South China Sea.

As Taiwan also lays claims to the islet, and its supposed billions in oil and gas deposits, China's increasing its presence and also backing its claims by sending the newest warship it has to the region.

The Taiwan-owned China Times reports the Liuzhou Type 054A warship entered the South China Sea Fleet of China's PLA Navy just days ago, making it the sixth 054 warship in the area.

Though the Type 054A is not a new design, this most recently commissioned vessel will have the latest technological advantages.

Japan mulls spy drones for East China Sea

JAPAN is considering introducing US spy drones to boost surveillance of its territorial waters near islands in the East China Sea at the centre of a bitter dispute with Beijing, Kyodo News says. 

 
The Japanese defence ministry hopes to introduce the unmanned Global Hawk aircraft by 2015 "in a bid to counter China's growing assertiveness at sea, especially when it comes to the Senkaku Islands", the news agency said, citing unnamed government officials.
Beijing has been sending maritime patrol vessels into waters around the Japanese-controlled islands, which China claims as Diaoyu, since Tokyo nationalised the chain in September.
China is apparently seeking to prove that it can come and go in the area at will, and on Monday three of Beijing's ships were spotted in the waters around the islands, according to Japan's coastguard, in the latest perceived incursion.

Patriot performs flawlessly in Japan test firings

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) continued its track record of successfully test firing Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Patriot Air and Missile Defense System during its annual training exercise at McGregor Range, N.M. The exercise included target engagement and firings of Patriot in stressing tactical mission scenarios.

"The results of this annual exercise speak to the operational readiness of Patriot and the solid collaboration of this dedicated government-industry team," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business.

"Raytheon is committed to its partnership with JASDF, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the U.S. Army, working together to ensure that Japan has the most robust air and missile defense capability and training for its forces."

JASDF's Annual Service Practice was held from Sept. 22 through Nov. 3, with approximately 380 JASDF personnel participating. The exercise included a VIP visit and viewing by Japan Commander of the Northern Air Defense Forces and the Defense and Air Attache from the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.

Japan is one of 12 nations that have selected the combat-proven Patriot as a key component of their air and missile defense program.

Japan to develop missile-detecting drone: report

Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China's military buildup, a report said on Sunday.

The defence ministry has demanded 3 billion yen ($372 million) over the next four years to develop the aircraft, which would come into operation in 2020, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported without citing sources.
The development of the drone, which will be equipped with an infrared sensor to seek out low-altitude missiles, comes after Japan failed to detect North Korea's failed rocket launch in April.
The launch, described by Pyongyang as an attempt go put a satellite into orbit but condemned by world leaders as a disguised ballistic missile test, saw the rocket disintegrate over the Yellow Sea just two minutes after launch.
But Japan was forced to rely on information from the United States and media reports after its own detection systems failed.

Japan, US to cancel island drill: report

Tokyo - Japan and the US are dropping plans for a joint drill to simulate the retaking of a remote island from foreign forces amid a row between Tokyo and Beijing over a disputed archipelago, a report said.

The governments are set to cancel the drill as it could provoke further anger from China after a row escalated when Japan last month nationalised some of the disputed islands, also claimed by Beijing, Jiji Press reported late Friday.

The decision to cancel the drill, which would have involved an island that is not part of the disputed chain, was in line with the views of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's office, the news agency quoted government sources as saying.

No official was immediately available for comment at the Japanese defence ministry.

According to earlier Japanese news reports, the exercise would have been part of broader joint Japan-US manoeuvres due to start in early November.

Seven Chinese Navy warships skirt Okinawa

Seven Chinese warships passed Tuesday through Japan's contiguous zone, a band of water just outside the nation's territorial waters, near an Okinawa island, the Defense Ministry said.

 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121017a3.html

The ships, including destroyers and frigates, were spotted at around 7 a.m. sailing from the Pacific Ocean to the East China Sea about 49 km south-southeast of Yonaguni Island, which is 110 km east of Taiwan.

The seven vessels confirmed by Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C reconnaissance aircraft were heading north-northeast south of the disputed Senkaku Islands, according to the ministry.

Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto told reporters he was unsure of the purpose of the flotilla. "At present, we don't see any helicopters flying from the vessels," he added.

It is the first time Chinese naval vessels have been spotted in the 22-km-wide contiguous zone between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands, the ministry said.

Sailing in the contiguous zone, which connects to 12-nautical mile territorial waters, poses no problem under international law. In the zone, Japan can apply its laws for customs procedures and immigration control.

Big U.S. Fleet Nears Disputed Islands, But What For?

It’s probably just a coincidence; no need to worry yet. But the U.S. has quietly assembled a powerful air, land and sea armada not far from where Japan and China are squaring off over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Two Navy aircraft carrier battle groups and a Marine Corps air-ground task force have begun operating in the Western Pacific, within easy reach of the Senkaku Islands. That’s where Japanese and Chinese patrol boats are engaged in an increasingly tense standoff.
Chinese vessels have repeatedly entered territorial waters around the small islands in recent weeks and Coast Guard vessels from Japan and Taiwan fired water cannons at each other last week. The islands are controlled and administered by Japan, but claimed by both China and Taiwan.
No warships have been directly involved in the confrontations, so far. But China has vowed to continue sending patrol vessels into territorial waters and Japan has assembled scores of Coast Guard vessels to “defend” the islands.
The U.S. hasn’t taken sides in the ownership dispute, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for “cooler heads” to prevail. Nonetheless, U.S. officials have stated clearly that the Senkakus fall under the U.S.-Japan security treaty, which would require the U.S. to come to Japan’s aid in case of attack.
Navy officials confirmed Sunday that the USS George Washington carrier strike group has begun operating in the East China Sea, near the disputed islands. The USS John C. Stennis group is only slightly further away in the South China Sea. Each carrier is armed with more than 80 warplanes, and strike groups typically include guided-missile cruisers and destroyers, submarines and supply ships.

Australia Likely To Buy Subs From Japan

      Japan and Australia are likely to confirm a defense technology deal involving the technology transfer of Japan’s highly regarded diesel-electric AIP Soryu submarine, according to the Japan Security Watch. This deal is an outgrowth of the relaxing of the arms export restrictions that took place late last year.

      The two could collaborate on maritime domain, particularly in terms of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). When the two countries held their first bilateral defense exercises recently they engaged in ASW exercises, something they have also done so with the US in trilateral exercises.

      According to the Australian press, the Japanese could in a joint partnership to outfit the Royal Australian Navy with 12 submarines similar to the highly regarded Japanese diesel-electric mid-sized Soryuu submarine.

Japan, Taiwan Trade Water Cannon Fire Near Disputed Islands

Japan’s deputy foreign minister is in Beijing for consultations with China about a group of hotly contested islands in the East China Sea known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku by the Japanese.

As the meetings took place and officials made an effort to ease tensions, the Japanese coast guard fired water cannons at a group of Taiwanese fishing boats, the latest confrontation on the islands.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei decribed the discussions between Vice Foreign Ministers Chikao Kawai and Zhang Zhijun as frank and in depth.

According to Hong, during the meeting, Zhang Zhijun asserted that the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands have been China’s sacred territory since ancient times and that there is ample historical and legal evidence of that.  He said with regard to China’s repeated representations on this, Japan has turned a blind eye to these historical facts and international law.  He warned Japan to "correct its mistakes with concrete actions."

Earlier, Japan fired water cannons on 40 fishing boats and eight coast guard vessels from Taiwan.  Japan’s Defense Minister said managing ship incursions into the waters is a top priority for his country.

Pentagon Statement on MV-22 Operations Agreement with Japan

Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs George Little provided the following statement:

"Secretary Panetta is pleased that we have been able to reach agreement with the Government of Japan that permits the Osprey to commence flight operations in Japan. This agreement was the result of a deep partnership and thorough process that allowed both sides to reconfirm the safety of the aircraft. It is a testament to the strength and maturity of our Alliance, which remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Secretary Panetta has placed a high priority on reaching this agreement, directed numerous senior officials at the Department of Defense to work on this issue over the past several months, and raised the issue in multiple discussions with Foreign Minister Gemba and Defense Minister Morimoto, including earlier this week.

China, Japan heading towards war, says US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta

CHINA and other Asian countries could end up at war over territorial disputes if governments keep up their "provocative behaviour", US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said.
Speaking to reporters before arriving in Tokyo on a trip to Asia, Mr Panetta appealed for restraint amid mounting tensions over territorial rights in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
"I am concerned that when these countries engage in provocations of one kind or another over these various islands, that it raises the possibility that a misjudgment on one side or the other could result in violence, and could result in conflict," Mr Panetta said, when asked about a clash between Japan and China.
"And that conflict would then have the potential of expanding."
The Pentagon chief's trip coincides with an escalating row between Asia's two largest economies over an archipelago in the East China Sea administered by Tokyo under the name Senkaku and claimed by China under the name Diaoyu.

China Warns Japan Over Purchase of Disputed Islands

China has again strongly criticized the purchase of three disputed islands in the East China Sea by Japan and threatened Tokyo with “serious consequences” caused by this “illegal unilateral decision.”
Japan formally announced on Monday a decision to buy three of the five disputed Senkaku islands, called Diaoyu in China, from the Kurihara family for 2.05 billion yen ($26.1 million).
“The Chinese government solemnly announces that the attempt to purchase the islands is absolutely illegal and invalid,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday.
“It can never change the historical facts of Japan’s aggression and occupation of Chinese territory and China’s sovereignty on the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islets,” the statement said, adding that Japan will be fully responsible for any serious consequences caused by its unilateral action.
The disputed islands in the East China Sea, which are also claimed by Taiwan, lie on a vital shipping route and are surrounded by large hydrocarbon deposits beneath them.

Japanese Type 10 Main Battle Tank (MBT) Debuts in Military Exercise

                                    Japanese Type 10 Main Battle Tank (MBT).

Tokyo Signals Defense Shift To Disputed Islands

Tokyo unveiled plans on Friday to seek more national funding for vessels and manpower to enhance their presence in remote islands, a move believed to be aimed at beefing up their claim over China's Diaoyu Islands.

Amid escalating tensions between China and Japan over the islands in the East China Sea, the Japanese Coast Guard on Friday released plans to seek more money in the 2013 financial year to purchase four patrol ships to equip the major forces engaged in “safeguarding territorial waters”, Japan’s Jiji Press News Agency said.

Japan will buy another three large patrol vessels to deal with any ships protesting its territorial claims and will add about 150 military personnel to “beef up maritime guarding and antidisaster mechanisms”.
The Japanese Defense Ministry on Friday said it requested 4.57 trillion yen ($58 billion) in budget appropriations for the year starting next April 1, down 1.7 percent from the current budget.