On Aug. 12, the government convened a National Security Council session of four ministers at the Prime Minister’s Office [Kantei] to discuss developments in East Asia. The discussions were apparently focused on the cross-strait issue as China is ramping up its military pressure on Taiwan following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit there. This was the first NSC session convened….Read more

By Kanamori Ayaka   The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education and the U.S. Consulate-General Naha held a signing ceremony for the English Language Fellow (ELF) program on Aug. 8. Board Superintendent Hanmine Mitsuru and Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Nicole Lima Nucelli attended the event.   Under the ELF program, an English-language education specialist will be sent to the prefectural board….Read more

TOKYO — Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have participated in 50% more joint exercises with the U.S. military so far this year than in the same period of 2021 as the partners strengthen deterrence on the front lines of a potential conflict around Taiwan.   A total of 10 fighter jets from Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Air Force held….Read more

TOKYO – The Japanese government will not disclose results of its research on critical technologies if there is a risk the information may be diverted for military use overseas or otherwise jeopardize national interests, sources close to the matter said Friday.   Research results on cutting-edge technologies specified in the economic security law will be shared only within associations made up of….Read more

TOKYO — Japan has set stricter screening requirements for foreign researchers entering the country, aiming to keep sensitive research and technologies from leaking to China and elsewhere.   In order to apply for a Japanese visa, researchers and students need to obtain a certificate of eligibility from their schools and employers. The document includes such information as their purpose of….Read more

BY KEN JIMBO CONTRIBUTING WRITER   The economic security promotion law, which was enacted in May, aims to comprehensively and effectively facilitate the implementation of economic policies to achieve national security.   The law is made up of four pillars: strengthening supply chains for critical materials; ensuring the security of core infrastructure; promoting the development of key advanced technologies; and….Read more

By Miki Rieko   Minister for Economic Security Takaichi Sanae led discussions on economic security within the Liberal Democratic Party when she chaired its policy affairs council. She advocates strengthening the protection of critical technologies. The introduction of a “security clearance” system to restrict those qualified to handle classified information will be the next focus of economic security.   Prime….Read more

Mainichi reported on Sunday that NSC Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell held a telephone interview with the press on Saturday and criticized China’s increasing military pressure near Taiwan by saying that China is “jeopardizing peace and stability in the region and trying to change the status quo.” He also reportedly disclosed that the U.S. military will conduct “freedom of navigation” operations….Read more