Gen Nakatani

Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Wednesday ordered ballistic missile defense units, including Aegis destroyers in the Sea of Japan and Patriot missile batteries onshore, to be ready to shoot down any North Korean rocket that threatened Japan.

Japan's defence minister urged Australia today to award a huge submarine contract to his country, saying such a deal would help bolster regional security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi today for a visit that has drawn the ire of Vietnamese nationalists at a time of bubbling conflict over disputed territory in the South China Sea.

The defence ministers of South Korea and Japan will meet in Seoul next week, officials announced today a further sign of improvements in the troubled relationship between the two US military allies.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a new cabinet on Wednesday, appointing a defence chief whose desire for a stronger pre-emptive strike capability could rile neighbour China.

Shinzo Abe took office today for a third term as Japan's Prime Minister, appointing a former military officer as his Defence Minister but keeping the other members of his previous Cabinet.

Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Wednesday ordered ballistic missile defense units, including Aegis destroyers in the Sea of Japan and Patriot missile batteries onshore, to be ready to shoot down any North Korean rocket that threatened Japan.

Japan's defence minister urged Australia today to award a huge submarine contract to his country, saying such a deal would help bolster regional security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi today for a visit that has drawn the ire of Vietnamese nationalists at a time of bubbling conflict over disputed territory in the South China Sea.

The defence ministers of South Korea and Japan will meet in Seoul next week, officials announced today a further sign of improvements in the troubled relationship between the two US military allies.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a new cabinet on Wednesday, appointing a defence chief whose desire for a stronger pre-emptive strike capability could rile neighbour China.

Shinzo Abe took office today for a third term as Japan's Prime Minister, appointing a former military officer as his Defence Minister but keeping the other members of his previous Cabinet.