The land warfare arm of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces
Japan has bolstered its military capabilities, prioritizing domestic drone development and long-range missiles as deterrence against China. Cabinet defence paper stresses speed, expanded arms production, and a shift toward homemade unmanned weapons to offset a shrinking workforce.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has downgraded its most severe warning for heavy rain in Chiba prefecture as rainfall subsides, but more rain is forecast. Rescue teams have evacuated and ferried stranded people, while dozens of homes are flooded and several deaths are reported amid ongoing power outages and transport disruptions.
Record rainfall has inundated Chiba prefecture east of Tokyo, forcing roughly 7,000 people to stay overnight inside Narita airport and leaving at least four people dead. Rail and road links have been cut, about 23,000–68,000 households have lost power at peak, and more than 230,000 residents have been advised to seek higher ground as rescue teams respond.