Japan Archives - CONTACT magazine

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Captain Ishidera Takahiko receives a personalised cricket bat from Commanding Officer HMAS Sydney, Commander Ben Weller, on arrival in Yokosuka during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Port visit firms ties with Japan

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 718 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney arrived in Japan for a short break and maintenance period in Yokosuka at the midpoint of its Indo-Pacific

A Royal Australian Air Force P8-A Poseidon aircraft and United States Navy P-8A Poseidon’s on the flight line at United States Air Force Kadena Air Base, Japan, during Operation Argos 25-1. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Corporal Emma Schwenke.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF Poseidon on North Korean-sanctions patrol

29/04/202504/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1440 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, Operation Argos, P-8A Poseidon, united Nations Security Council, US Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol crew deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for Operation Argos

Commander Information Warfare Force Captain Catherine Gordon observes team 3 with Leading Aircraftman Shumack. Story by Lieutenant Commander Julian Thirkill.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

Specialists home in on cyber defence

18/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1139 Views 0 Comments Cyber Defence, Exercise Blue Spectrum, Information Warfare, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, US Navy

Multinational information warfare specialists recently tested real-world threat scenarios during Exercise Blue Spectrum in Ichigaya, Japan. CAPTION: Commander Information Warfare Force

USS Mobile, JS Akebono, HMAS Warramunga and BRP Antonio Luna during a multilateral maritime cooperative activity between Australia, the United States, Japan and the Philippines within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner

Japan News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy USA

Four-nation patrol in South China Sea

08/04/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1320 Views 0 Comments

Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States conducted the first multilateral maritime cooperative activity on yesterday, 7 April 2024,,

RAAF military working dog, Zlo, during the trilateral security forces subject matter expertise exchange at Iruma Air Base, Japan. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

New milestone for trilateral security forces

02/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1918 Views 0 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Military Working Dogs, No. 13 Squadron, US Air Force

An Air Force military working dog’s (MWD) first trip to Japan has marked a significant step in Australia’s commitment to

HMAS Huon deploys an underwater sensor. Photo by Able Seaman Casey Buurveld.

Australian Japan News Science & Technology

Australia and Japan sign undersea-warfare-research agreement

23/01/202423/01/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1641 Views 0 Comments Defence Science and Technology Group

Australia and Japan have signed an agreement to enhance strategic capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare. FILE

Australian Army, United States Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel at the opening ceremony of Exercise Yama Sakura 85.

ADF Japan News

Aussies’ first participation in Ex Yama Sakura

08/12/202315/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1948 Views 0 Comments 1st (Australian) Division, Exercise Yama Sakura, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), US Army

Australia is participating in Exercise Yama Sakura (YS85) for the first time, enhancing interoperability and mutual defence capability with Japan

Crews and support personnel at NAF Atsugi base in Japan during Exercise AnnualEx 2023. Behind them are a RAAF P-8A Poseidon, left, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-1, centre, Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora, mid-ground, and United States Navy P-8 Poseidon, right. Photo: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF P-8A Poseidon training in Japan

05/12/202312/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2048 Views 0 Comments Exercise Annualex, Exercise Nichi Gou Trident (NGT), HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Stalwart, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon

A RAAF P-8A Poseidon and 33 personnel from 11 Squadron have conducted two training exercises at Naval Air Facility (NAF)

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft fly with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle aircraft during Exercise Bushido Guardian 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Exercise Bushido Guardian

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2645 Views 1 Comment Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35B Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron

Australian and Japanese aviators forged strong partnerships and lifelong lessons during the two-week Exercise Bushido Guardian in Japan. CAPTION: Royal

Flight Lieutenant Rosemary Callery addresses the attendees of the Women, Peace and Security networking event at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Base during Exercise Bushido Guardian. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

A multilateral conversation about gender equality

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1316 Views 2 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Japanese and Australian service personnel had an opportunity to learn about each other’s approach to gender, peace, and security (GPS)

Australian, Japanese and American soldiers conduct a live-fire platoon attack with armoured fighting vehicles at Puckapunyal during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2014. Photo by Sergeant Brian Hartigan.

ADF Japan News

Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement now in effect

14/08/202326/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2329 Views 3 Comments Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement

Australia and Japan are strengthening defence ties with the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) coming into effect today. FILE PHOTO:

Soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force launch a Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile at Beecroft Weapons Range, New South Wales during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy Talisman Sabre Videos

Talisman Sabre hosts military first with Japan

25/07/202325/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2286 Views 0 Comments Beecroft Weapons Range, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, HMAS Canberra, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF)

In an Australian-military first, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live fire demonstration of a Type 12

RAAF Tactical Coordinator Flight Lieutenant Brad Jolly, centre, at his station on-board a P-8A Poseidon during Operation Argos 2023. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photo by Sergeant Nicci Freeman.

Japan Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF’s eyes in the sky on North Korea sanctions

24/03/202326/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1938 Views 0 Comments No. 11 Squadron, Operation Argos, P-8A Poseidon

RAAF personnel have helped to monitor and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods into North Korea as part of

HMAS Hobart enters the port of Okinawa, Japan, during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy USA

HMAS Hobart flew UN flag in Japan

07/12/202209/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2136 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, united Nations, US Navy

HMAS Hobart recently conducted a port visit to White Beach in Okinawa, Japan, to exercise the United Nations – Government

HMAS Stalwart conducts a replenishment at sea with aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the North Pacific Ocean. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Dewann du Plessis. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Aaron Robinson.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy USA

US carrier resupply a buzz for Aussie crew

07/12/202207/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2479 Views 1 Comment HMAS Stalwart, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Replenishment at Sea (RAS), US Navy

A bucket-list wish for many crew members of auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMAS Stalwart was to replenish a Nimitz-class aircraft

Craftsman Mathew Kelly, passes the ball during the 73rd Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens Tournament. Story by Lieutenant Amy Johnson. Photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Asia Australian Army Japan New Zealand News Royal Australian Navy

Rugby comp more about cultural exchange than winning

25/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1889 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Rugby

Most teams make their way to Singapore for Asia’s oldest international rugby tournament by air. This year, one team sailed

USNS Rappahannock, left, conducts a replenishment at sea with HMAS Hobart during Exercise Keen Sword. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy UK USA

Exercise Keen Sword demonstrates joint integration

25/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1633 Views 0 Comments Exercise Keen Sword, HMAS Hobart, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Navy, US Navy

Destroyer HMAS Hobart participated in high-end warfighting exercises off southern Japan with ships and submarines from the US Navy, Japan

Leading Seaman Nathan Cox watches out of HMAS Arunta's embarked MH-60R helicopter "Athena" as HMAS Arunta (right) and USS Milius conduct a duel Replenishment at Sea with JS Oumi during Exercise Malabar 2022. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

India Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy USA

Action above, on and below the sea

23/11/202223/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1645 Views 0 Comments Exercise Malabar, HMAS Arunta, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Stalwart, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment, US Navy

Cooperation was heightened, skills strengthened and relationships deepened as Exercise Malabar drew together Australian, Japanese, Indian and United States forces