In a move to flex muscles against regional threats, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) are conducting an isolated island recovery exercice from November 14 to 21, 2019.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered into a follow-on contract with Japan to supply the JSM (Joint Strike Missile) for their fleet of F-35 fighter aircraft. The contract is valued 450 MNOK.

Japan's shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) launched the 12th and final Soryu-class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). JS Tōryū (とうりゅう) SS-512 is the second submarine of the class to feature Li-Ion batteries.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the US Army conducted their first ever combined anti-ship drills in Japan, as part of the annual Orient Shield exercise, according to pictures released by the US Army Japan press office.

The U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of up to 73 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missiles for an estimated cost of $3.295 billion.

U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B STOVL fighters will be the first fixed wing aircraft to fly from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class "helicopter destroyers", following the conversion of both JS Izumo and JS Kaga into aircraft carriers.

Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has officially announced the selection of the F-35B fighter as its future short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft. Lockheed Martin was the sole bidder.

Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) today launched the second Maya-class guided missile destroyer for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The vessel is named "Haguro"

At MAST Asia 2019, the defense exhibition and conference held last month near Tokyo, Japan, local company Mitsui E&S was showcasing for the first time the new expendable mine disposal (EMD) vehicle of the JMSDF.