Looking for a new work backpack.

Man down! #cohenthedog

Partners line up for arms deals as Japan opens defense industry door 'A number of countries' have approached Tokyo with 'expressions of interest and various needs' about Japanese defense equipment, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said.

Partners line up for arms deals as Japan opens defense industry door www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Man, this shit is just so exhausting

In major policy shift, Japan scraps limits on lethal arms exports The changes come amid intensifying geopolitical rivalries and Japan's growing engagement in international defense-industrial projects.

In major policy shift, Japan scraps limits on lethal arms exports www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Japan issues rare special advisory over chance of more powerful quake The government issued the advisory to residents of 182 municipalities from Hokkaido to Chiba, urging them to be ready to evacuate at any moment.

Authorities have warned of an even larger earthquake hitting northeastern Japan, after a magnitude 7.7 quake struck off the coast of Iwate on Monday, triggering tsunami across a broad swath of the area.

Powerful quake triggers tsunami warning for Iwate and Hokkaido The tsunami warning was issued after a quake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture.

Powerful quake triggers tsunami warning for Iwate and Hokkaido www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Chinese military warships train in western Pacific after MSDF Taiwan Strait transit China has dispatched naval vessels led by one of its most advanced warships through a waterway near Amami Oshima off Kagoshima Prefecture for training in the western Pacific.

Chinese military warships train in western Pacific after MSDF Taiwan Strait transit www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Japan’s latest tourist destination: hair salons Travelers cite high skill levels, excellent service and attention to hygiene as top reasons for having their hair treatments done in the country.

Japan’s latest tourist destination: hair salons www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Thought for sure this was some スケベ place. Turns out it isn’t.

Seems this notice was deleted and rephrased. Likely just a mistake with language.

North Korea test-fires at least one ballistic missile, Defense Ministry says The launch occurred around 6:26 a.m., with the ministry saying the missile 'no longer posed a threat to the vicinity of Japan' around 7:14 a.m.

Unusual North Korean missile launch today. Japan MOD says detected at 6:26 and issues notice that the missile “no longer posed a threat to the vicinity of Japan” around 7:14 a.m.
Phrasing unusual, but unclear if flight time was actually around 50 min.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Chinese military holds joints drills in East China Sea after MSDF Taiwan Strait transit Beijing said the exercises were 'a routine arrangement organized in accordance with the annual plan, aiming at testing the joint operations capabilities.'

Chinese military holds joints drills in East China Sea after MSDF Taiwan Strait transit www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia Tokyo will supply the Australian Navy with 11 new warships in a deal that highlights the progress of Japan's defense industry over the past decade.

BREAKING: Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

lol man no one (US population at large nor the average junior enlisted member) are mentally ready for what a real war is gonna look like

Wait wtf Stevens was the main character in “Legion”?! Whoa

Japan has long had tough rules on arms exports. That may soon change. Japan is likely to scrap long-standing limits on its exports of lethal arms next year — a move that will have lasting implications for the ostensibly pacifist country.

Rule changes coming next week. BIG NEWS. Here's the JT's look at what this means from late last year => Japan has long had tough rules on arms exports. That may soon change. www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...

Japan and Australia eye joint missile and drone production amid U.S. stockpile concerns Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the shifting geostrategic environment is driving the quasi-allies to rethink how they cooperate on arms production.

As Australia's NDS is released, a story from earlier this month => Japan and Australia eye joint missile and drone production amid U.S. stockpile concerns www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Indonesian Foreign Ministry urged caution over U.S. military overflight proposal While the two nations agreed on a defense cooperation partnership ​in a meeting Monday, a Pentagon statement that followed made no reference to overflights.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry urged caution over U.S. military overflight proposal www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Why Princess Aiko won't ascend the chrysanthemum throne The princess has proven to be popular in Japan, but politicians, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, are dragging their feet when it comes to changing the succession law.

“The imperial family has changed with time. ... Politicians need to keep in mind that being too adamant in maintaining the current system may cause the imperial family, itself, to lose support from the public.”

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants The requirement applies to jobs in which language skills are central, such as translation, interpretation and customer-facing roles.

Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Police raid family home of boy found dead in Kyoto Prefecture The body of elementary school student Yuki Adachi, who had been missing since March 23, was found on Monday in the mountains of Kyoto Prefecture, with the cause of death unknown.

Police raid family home of boy found dead in Kyoto Prefecture www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Exclusive | Europe Drafts Postwar Plan to Free Up Hormuz Without U.S. U.K. and French plan aims to give shipping companies confidence to use the strait after the fighting ends.

Story doesn't mention any role for Japan, but Tokyo has been at the forefront of such moves, so wonder how this will pan out => European countries are putting together a plan to free up Hormuz without the U.S.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...

The Bookseller of Kawasaki. A pro-wrestling name if there ever was one.

Japan to deploy 1,400 troops and missiles to large-scale drills in expanded role The scale and diversity of the contingent means that Japan will be the third-largest troop contributor to the biggest-ever iteration of the drills in the Philippines.

The Self-Defense Forces will deploy about 1,400 personnel, multiple warships and aircraft, along with anti-ship missile systems, to the Balikatan exercises in the Philippines. This will include the Ise helicopter carrier. www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Taking lessons from Ukraine and Middle East, GSDF establishes new drone offices A promotion office will oversee research and development of unmanned assets, while a systems office will focus on their procurement and maintenance.

Taking lessons from Ukraine and Middle East, GSDF establishes new drone offices www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

a man in a suit and hat says nobody in white letters ALT: a man in a suit and hat says nobody in white letters

Chilling to some Keith Sweat and I don't care what anyone says.

Eastward bound: Largest-ever NATO envoy delegation to visit Japan The unprecedented visit by a delegation of roughly 30 ambassadors to NATO represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral ties.

Eastward bound: Largest-ever NATO envoy delegation to visit Japan www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Trump’s blockade of Iran ports risks dangerous escalation cycle While the U.S. is capable of enforcing a blockade, it would entail substantial costs and risks.

Trump’s blockade of Iran ports risks dangerous escalation cycle www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...

Japan ‘closely monitoring’ U.S. plans to blockade Strait of Hormuz U.S. President Donald Trump again assailed Tokyo and other U.S. allies for not helping secure the strait, saying that the lack of aid 'amazes' him.

Japan ‘closely monitoring’ U.S. plans to blockade Strait of Hormuz www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04...