Jan 01 Japan drops tsunami alert but urges caution after series of quakes By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It was unclear how many people might have been killed or hurt. Continue reading
Dec 27 U.S. ambassador thanks Japan for defense upgrade and allowing a Patriot missile sale By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press In a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara on Wednesday, Emanuel noted a series of steps Japan has taken to bolster its military power and the countries' alliance, saying it brings the "level of deterrence to capital D deterrence."… Continue reading
Dec 17 Japan and ASEAN summit focuses on security, economy amid tensions with China By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at a special summit in Tokyo on Sunday, adopted a joint vision that emphasizes security and economic cooperation while respecting the rule of law, amid growing tensions with China in regional seas. Continue reading
Dec 06 U.S. military grounds entire fleet of Osprey aircraft following a deadly crash off the coast of Japan By Tara Copp, Associated Press The U.S. military has announced it is grounding all of its Osprey V-22 helicopters, one week after eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members died in a crash off the coast of Japan. Continue reading
Dec 06 WATCH: White House announces U.S., South Korea and Japan officials will meet to discuss North Korean threat By Associated Press The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan will meet in Seoul this week to discuss North Korea’s growing military threat and other regional security issues as they continue to promote trilateral cooperation in Asia. Continue reading
Dec 05 Air Force identifies the 8 U.S. crew lost in Osprey crash in Japan By Tara Copp, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The crew ranged in ages from 24 to 36 years old and came from eight states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Utah. Continue reading
Dec 04 Divers find wreckage, 5 remains of five killed in Osprey crash near Japan, U.S. Air Force says By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The U.S. Air Force says divers have discovered wreckage and the remains of five crew members from a U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft that crashed last week off southwestern Japan. Continue reading
Dec 01 Japan expresses concern about Ospreys continuing to fly as crash details emerge By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan's top government spokesperson expressed concern Friday that the U.S. military is continuing to fly Osprey aircraft in the country without providing adequate information about Wednesday's fatal crash. Continue reading
Nov 30 Japan suspends its Osprey flights after fatal crash of U.S. Air Force hybrid aircraft By Mari Yamaguchi, Tara Copp, Associated Press Japan has suspended flights of its Osprey aircraft after a U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed into the sea during a training mission. Continue reading
Nov 29 At least 1 person is dead and 7 are still missing after a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off southern Japan By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japanese coast guard officials say the cause of Wednesday's crash and the status of the seven others on board were not immediately known. Continue reading