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Shinjiro Koizumi

The latest news and updates on Shinjiro Koizumi, a prominent Japanese politician and Member of the House of Representatives for the Liberal Democratic Party. Currently serving as Minister of Agriculture, he previously held the post of Minister of the Environment from 2019 to 2021, where he championed initiatives for plastic waste reduction and renewable energy transition. Educated at Columbia University, he also served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Reconstruction. Known for his progressive stance on social and environmental issues, Koizumi is considered a rising figure in Japanese politics, with a focus on strengthening Japan-U.S. relations and advocating for climate change countermeasures.

Japan

Can Japan build a ‘China-free’ military? The high price of defying a rival

Tokyo’s bid to boost ‘self-reliance’ may be costly and could take years given China’s dominance in critical materials, analysts say.

6 Mar 2026 - 3:48PMvideocam

Munich Security Conference

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

16 Feb 2026 - 6:00AM

Japan

Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

30 Jan 2026 - 11:30PM

Japan

Japan and South Korea bolster defence ties amid regional tensions

Defence chiefs agree to joint AI, space, and drone development, aiming to stabilise the region against growing missile threats.

30 Jan 2026 - 8:41PM

Japan

Japan, US vow ‘unshaken’ defence ties despite Trump’s pivot from Asia

‘We talk about America first, yes, but it doesn’t mean America alone,’ Pentagon chief Hegseth tells Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi.

16 Jan 2026 - 11:47AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns

Release of defence ministry report comes amid soaring tensions with Beijing and a boost to Japan’s military budget and goals.

19 Dec 2025 - 6:33PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China’s military accuses Japan of raising ‘space arms race’ risk

Diplomatic war of words continues with PLA Daily articles targeting Tokyo’s defence and intelligence plans.

18 Dec 2025 - 7:03PMvideocam

Japan plans to upgrade its Space Operations Group to a full corps. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Japan, US defence chiefs cover radar row and other China tensions in phone call

Washington and Tokyo share ‘serious concerns’ about regional security, reaffirm commitment to alliance.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:01PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

12 Dec 2025 - 12:29AMvideocam

China’s military drills

China-Russia bomber patrol ‘a serious security’ concern, Japanese minister says

Defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi says the exercise was ‘clearly intended to be a demonstration’ against Japan at a time of heightened tension.

10 Dec 2025 - 7:47PMvideocam

A Chinese J-16 fighter and a Russian Tu-95 bomber. Photo: Handout

Mainland China

Video | China reveals radio comms with Japan over aerial encounter

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said radar activation is ‘standard practice’ for flight safety.

10 Dec 2025 - 4:49PM

02:49

China-Japan relations

China ‘did tell Japan about air drills but not in enough detail to avoid danger’

Both sides have been trading barbs following a stand-off between fighters during Saturday’s training exercise involving the Liaoning carrier.

10 Dec 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Why is China piling on the pressure on Japan with increasing naval operations?

Japanese analysis indicates Chinese fighters locked onto jets from a distance of about 52km during first encounter and 148km during second.

9 Dec 2025 - 7:50PMvideocam

China’s military drills

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

China’s ‘capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision’, commentator tells CCTV.

8 Dec 2025 - 7:37PMvideocam

Japan’s Self-Defence Forces says China’s Liaoning carrier, pictured in 2021, and three guided missile destroyers are continuing drills in waters near Japan. Photo: Handout via Reuters

China-Japan relations

Mid-air military stand-off triggers duelling protests in China-Japan row latest

China responds to ‘ill-intentioned’ Tokyo with counter-protest over ‘dangerous’ Japanese maritime behaviour.

8 Dec 2025 - 5:58PMvideocam

A J-15 fighter jet preparing to land on the flight deck of the Chinese navy’s Liaoning aircraft carrier. Photo: AP

China-Japan relations

Tokyo accuses Chinese fighters of locking on Japanese jets northeast of Taiwan

Japan says J-15 fighters used fire-control radar in ‘dangerous act’, while China accuses Japanese planes of disturbing navy drills.

7 Dec 2025 - 9:59PM

China's military weapons

Is China’s rapid anti-submarine drone progress adding to concerns of Japan, US?

After decades within the confines of the first island chain, the PLA Navy is unveiling a succession of game-changing advances.

3 Dec 2025 - 11:45PMvideocam

China's military weapons

PLA’s drone carrier on fast track to deployment with apparent second sea trial

A vessel believed to be the Sichuan, a key asset for potential amphibious operations against Taiwan, departs Shanghai shipyard.

2 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, sets sail from a shipyard in Shanghai on November 14 for its first sea trial. Photo: Xinhua

China-Japan relations

Beijing blasts Japan’s ‘extremely dangerous’ missile deployment near Taiwan

Tokyo’s defence minister says preparation for medium-range, surface-to-air missile deployment on Yonaguni Island is ‘progressing steadily’.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:31PM

China-Japan relations

Japan’s export of lethal weapons to US ‘extremely dangerous’: Chinese analysts

Shipment of Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors said to indicate Tokyo’s expanded military capabilities amid tense China-Japan ties.

21 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Takaichi must soon make amends if China ties are to be repaired

The Japanese PM should take the opportunity of the G20 meeting to explain her comments to Premier Li Qiang and issue an unequivocal retraction.

15 Nov 2025 - 10:50PM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on November 1. Photo: Reuters

China-Japan relations

Beijing warns Japan after PM’s Taiwan comments fuel nuclear shift concerns

Beijing says Japanese moves mark a ‘major negative policy shift’ as it urges Tokyo to abandon military build-up and regain regional trust.

15 Nov 2025 - 8:24PMvideocam

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian says Beijing is “seriously concerned”. Photo: Kyodo

The Philippines

Opinion | Why China need not fear US-led ‘Squad’ evolving into Asian Nato

Uncertainty surrounds the ‘Squad’, including the US’ ability to support another grouping and Trump’s push for a grand bargain with China.

14 Nov 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

South Korea

Will Japan and South Korea join Aukus, co-develop nuclear submarines with US?

With US approval for Seoul to develop nuclear submarines, Aukus become a more expansive Indo-Pacific defence network.

13 Nov 2025 - 4:36PM

Japan

Warning or routine? Timing of Russian jet fly-past into Japan raises questions

Sanae Takaichi is unlikely to push to improve ties with Moscow, virtually frozen under previous prime ministers, experts say.

31 Oct 2025 - 5:49PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s military spending earns total ‘respect’ from US defence chief

Hegseth hailed Tokyo’s intention to accelerate the timing of a planned increase in defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP.

29 Oct 2025 - 2:21PMvideocam

Japan

‘Exhaustion is reaching limits’: Japan sends troops to trap bears after deaths

The troops will provide logistical support, such as setting up box traps and transporting bears that have been euthanised.

18 Nov 2025 - 7:18PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s Komeito exits coalition, threatening Takaichi’s PM bid

The party’s departure could jeopardise the path for Sanae Takaichi to become the country’s next prime minister and its first female leader.

10 Oct 2025 - 4:19PMvideocam

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Shinjiro Koizumi

Can Japan build a ‘China-free’ military? The high price of defying a rival

Tokyo’s bid to boost ‘self-reliance’ may be costly and could take years given China’s dominance in critical materials, analysts say.

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

Japan and South Korea bolster defence ties amid regional tensions

Defence chiefs agree to joint AI, space, and drone development, aiming to stabilise the region against growing missile threats.

Japan, US vow ‘unshaken’ defence ties despite Trump’s pivot from Asia

‘We talk about America first, yes, but it doesn’t mean America alone,’ Pentagon chief Hegseth tells Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi.

China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns

Release of defence ministry report comes amid soaring tensions with Beijing and a boost to Japan’s military budget and goals.

China’s military accuses Japan of raising ‘space arms race’ risk

Diplomatic war of words continues with PLA Daily articles targeting Tokyo’s defence and intelligence plans.

Japan, US defence chiefs cover radar row and other China tensions in phone call

Washington and Tokyo share ‘serious concerns’ about regional security, reaffirm commitment to alliance.

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

China-Russia bomber patrol ‘a serious security’ concern, Japanese minister says

Defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi says the exercise was ‘clearly intended to be a demonstration’ against Japan at a time of heightened tension.

Video | China reveals radio comms with Japan over aerial encounter

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said radar activation is ‘standard practice’ for flight safety.

China ‘did tell Japan about air drills but not in enough detail to avoid danger’

Both sides have been trading barbs following a stand-off between fighters during Saturday’s training exercise involving the Liaoning carrier.

Why is China piling on the pressure on Japan with increasing naval operations?

Japanese analysis indicates Chinese fighters locked onto jets from a distance of about 52km during first encounter and 148km during second.

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

China’s ‘capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision’, commentator tells CCTV.

Mid-air military stand-off triggers duelling protests in China-Japan row latest

China responds to ‘ill-intentioned’ Tokyo with counter-protest over ‘dangerous’ Japanese maritime behaviour.

Tokyo accuses Chinese fighters of locking on Japanese jets northeast of Taiwan

Japan says J-15 fighters used fire-control radar in ‘dangerous act’, while China accuses Japanese planes of disturbing navy drills.

Is China’s rapid anti-submarine drone progress adding to concerns of Japan, US?

After decades within the confines of the first island chain, the PLA Navy is unveiling a succession of game-changing advances.

PLA’s drone carrier on fast track to deployment with apparent second sea trial

A vessel believed to be the Sichuan, a key asset for potential amphibious operations against Taiwan, departs Shanghai shipyard.

Beijing blasts Japan’s ‘extremely dangerous’ missile deployment near Taiwan

Tokyo’s defence minister says preparation for medium-range, surface-to-air missile deployment on Yonaguni Island is ‘progressing steadily’.

Japan’s export of lethal weapons to US ‘extremely dangerous’: Chinese analysts

Shipment of Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors said to indicate Tokyo’s expanded military capabilities amid tense China-Japan ties.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Takaichi must soon make amends if China ties are to be repaired

The Japanese PM should take the opportunity of the G20 meeting to explain her comments to Premier Li Qiang and issue an unequivocal retraction.

Beijing warns Japan after PM’s Taiwan comments fuel nuclear shift concerns

Beijing says Japanese moves mark a ‘major negative policy shift’ as it urges Tokyo to abandon military build-up and regain regional trust.

Opinion | Why China need not fear US-led ‘Squad’ evolving into Asian Nato

Uncertainty surrounds the ‘Squad’, including the US’ ability to support another grouping and Trump’s push for a grand bargain with China.

Will Japan and South Korea join Aukus, co-develop nuclear submarines with US?

With US approval for Seoul to develop nuclear submarines, Aukus become a more expansive Indo-Pacific defence network.

Warning or routine? Timing of Russian jet fly-past into Japan raises questions

Sanae Takaichi is unlikely to push to improve ties with Moscow, virtually frozen under previous prime ministers, experts say.

Japan’s military spending earns total ‘respect’ from US defence chief

Hegseth hailed Tokyo’s intention to accelerate the timing of a planned increase in defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP.

‘Exhaustion is reaching limits’: Japan sends troops to trap bears after deaths

The troops will provide logistical support, such as setting up box traps and transporting bears that have been euthanised.

Japan’s Komeito exits coalition, threatening Takaichi’s PM bid

The party’s departure could jeopardise the path for Sanae Takaichi to become the country’s next prime minister and its first female leader.

Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

Editorial | Takaichi must soon make amends if China ties are to be repaired