“The Japanese defense industry as a whole is really hurting from the hollowing out of those second tier and third tier suppliers,” said Yuki Tatsumi, director of the Japan program at the Stimson Center. “Left to its own devices, I just don't think it's sustainable long term.”
“It's our vocation to go fly this thing,” said 21st Special Operations Squadron commander Lt. Col. Matt Davis in his first interview since a V-22 crash killed eight servicemembers in November.
Kazuya Yonekura, director of guided weapons project management division of the Japanese ministry of defense, spoke to Breaking Defense in Tokyo.
"We need more regional cooperation to enhance [Japanese] SOF," said Col. Taisuke Fujimura, Deputy Commander of the Japan’s Self Defense Force’s Amphibious Brigade
The US and Canada should turn to Japan and South Korea, two pivotal treaty allies with strategic interests and unique capabilities that could bolster Arctic security, according to analysts Chan Mo Ku and Jinwan Park.
“It’s one of those things that you won't know what you're missing until it's gone," said Lt. Col. Samuel Shamburg, commander of the 459th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan.