1. Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi Warns of 'Defense Vacuum' in Pacific, Signals Major Strategic Shift
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has issued a stark warning, declaring a 'defense vacuum' exists across a vast area of the Pacific Ocean. The statement, made during a visit to the strategically significant island of Iwo Jima, signals a clear and urgent intent to overhaul Japan's maritime security posture. This...