French carrier group chief draws lessons from first Pacific deployment in 60 years
'You have to deploy to understand an area,' Rear Adm. Jacques Mallard said in an interview when asked about the lessons learned from the service's ongoing Clemenceau 25 mission.
The CSG on Tuesday concluded the French Navy's first-ever joint carrier maneuvers with the United States and Japan in the Philippine Sea. Those maneuvers, which also involved the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and the JS Kaga helicopter carrier, were part of the Pacific Steller drills.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Japan Times
Foreign residents closely follow Japan's election and party pledges
As Japan's foreign population continues to rise both in terms of quantity and diversity, one of the talking points during Sunday's election was how the country should deal with the increase of international residents. While foreign nationals do not have the right to vote unless they naturalize, as residents they contribute to the economy, pay taxes and raise families in Japan. As electoral results could impact their lives, The Japan Times asked several foreign residents to weigh in. Interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity. Mark Williams (55) United States, resident of Japan since 2006 If I could vote myself, I'd want to see stronger enforcement of labor laws. I've been lucky, but I know people in other companies who are stuck in that culture where you can't leave until your boss does. That needs to change — for both Japanese people and foreigners alike. The cost of living is another big one. There are so many middlemen in the distribution process here that it drives up prices unnecessarily. Streamlining that could make a real difference. I have definitely noticed a shift in attitude (regarding foreigners), especially online. However, if I'm being honest, I've experienced far worse back home in the U.S. than I ever have here. There are people who've always held discriminatory views — now they just feel more free to voice them. It's not that there are more people who think this way, just more who are willing to say it out loud. When people say negative things about foreigners online, my wife or daughter will sometimes point it out to me. I might not have noticed otherwise, because I'm not glued to the TV or reading comments all the time. Day-to-day, I've only ever had positive experiences with people in Japan. My coworkers have always treated me well. I've never felt unwelcome in my workplace. I judge people based on how they treat me directly — not based on what's said online or in anonymous comments. Alexander Howell-Jackson (27) United Kingdom, resident of Japan for three years Anti-foreigner sentiment has definitely been rising. You can see it with parties like Sanseito. But it mirrors what's happening in the rest of the world. When the economy's stagnant and prices go up, people look for someone to blame and often that ends up being foreigners. Most Japanese people have never had a meaningful interaction with a foreigner. That leaves a vacuum for media narratives to shape their views. It's funny to see the 'foreigners are taking our jobs' narrative appear here too. Japan has a labor shortage and a shrinking population — there are so many unfilled jobs. There's no way to tell a tourist apart from a foreign resident, so we all get lumped together. Even if I've lived here for years, I get judged by what a tourist did last week. It's frustrating — when tourists don't know the rules, we all pay the price. It's not like we have 'foreign resident' stamped on our forehead with a visa type. That's not to say everyone is falling victim to this rhetoric. Online, the most racist people are the most vocal. Just because you see those kinds of comments doesn't mean everyone thinks like that. Simon Henderson (40) Australia, resident of Japan for three years I've been following the election very closely. It feels like a pivotal moment for Japan. There's a very real possibility of a political shift, which makes this election particularly significant. Foreign nationals contribute substantially to Japan's wellbeing, including through taxes. Yet we're still excluded from voting and often from political discourse entirely. Many of us have deep roots here. We work, we pay taxes, we raise families. But without the right to vote, we remain politically invisible. It's disappointing to see major parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party, echo xenophobic rhetoric rather than challenging it. Instead of framing foreign nationals as threats, Japan's political leaders should recognize the benefits of a more diverse society. Japan isn't alone in this shift. We're seeing nationalism rise worldwide — but that's no excuse for inaction here. Japan has internationalized a lot over the past decade, but its political institutions haven't kept pace with that change. If I could vote, I'd want to back candidates that understand Japan's future depends on inclusion — not fear. Climate change is also a top concern for me. I'd also support parties pushing for human rights reforms and more generous refugee policies. Additionally, it's contradictory that 18-year-olds can vote but can't run for the Upper House until they're 30 (unlike Australia, where the minimum age to run for office is 18). That sends a clear message: young people don't belong in politics. If Japan wants to improve voter turnout and engagement, especially among youth, it needs to reform its outdated candidacy laws. Maximo Arozarena (39) Mexico, resident of Japan for seven years On the surface, (the rhetoric regarding foreign nationals) doesn't always sound that bad — but for people who understand the context, it's a little bit worrying. I'm not super alarmed personally, because I've seen this kind of thing everywhere — in the U.S., even back in Mexico. But that doesn't mean it's harmless. It's part of a global trend that worries me. I think the election last October, where the LDP took a big hit, felt more significant. But this one matters too, especially because of Sanseito gaining ground and how that will shift the tone going forward. There's a lot of stress around the economy — the yen being weak, interest rates, even the ripple effects from tariffs and the U.S. elections. It's all adding to this general anxiety, and you can feel that in the conversations people are having. If I could vote, I'd back (a candidate advocating for) more progressive social policies — equal rights, gay marriage — but also economic strategies that go beyond short-term fixes. I know it's idealistic, but that's what I'd hope for. For example, tourism is critical for Japan's economy now, but the way it's handled isn't sustainable. Locals are frustrated with overtourism, and as someone working in the industry, I feel that frustration too. We need better planning — something that supports the economy without overwhelming communities. Right now, it just feels like we're improvising. One good thing I've seen in recent elections is that Japanese people seem more and more politically engaged. Hopefully, that leads to something positive, and not just empty rhetoric.
The Diplomat
11-07-2025
- The Diplomat
UK Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales to Make First Port Call in Japan
The HMS Prince of Wales may conduct 'cross-deck drills' with JS Kaga using aircraft carrier-based F-35Bs. If realized, it would send a strong message to China F-35 test pilot Marine Maj. Paul Gucwa from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), flies an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft to the U.K. HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier in the Western Atlantic Oct. 11, 2023. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced that the United Kingdom's carrier strike group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, will make its first port call in Japan from August to September this year. The deployment of a British aircraft carrier strike group to Japan will be the second time following the port call by HMS Queen Elizabeth and the escort vessels in September 2021, according to the ministry. Tokyo welcomes the port call as a demonstration of the U.K.'s commitment to regional peace and stability amid an increasingly severe and uncertain security environment surrounding Japan, the Japanese defense ministry said in a press release on June 25. The port call 'will also contribute to further strengthening Japan's security and Japan-U.K. security and defense cooperation,' it added. One area of interest during the upcoming port call is whether F-35B stealth fighter jets carried by the Prince of Wales will conduct 'cross-deck drills' in which they land and take off from the deck of JS Kaga (DDH 184), the second Izumo-class helicopter carrier (locally classified as 'helicopter destroyer') of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). So far, no British F-35B has ever landed or taken off from JS Izumo or JS Kaga before. If a British F-35B were to do so from the deck of the JS Kaga, it would send a strong message to the world, especially an assertive China, that Japan's relationship with the U.K., which is widely regarded as a 'quasi-ally,' is truly being strengthened. The Diplomat asked Admiral Saito Akira, chief of staff of the JMSDF, about this point at his regular press conference on July 8. Japan's top naval officer responded: 'We are currently considering the details of what kind of joint training we should conduct with the Royal Navy. As Takahashi-san said, if the F-35B is able to cross-deck drills with the Kaga, it will be an extremely powerful message, and I think it will be an opportunity for us to absorb know-how, including the operation of the F-35, from the Royal Navy, which has been operating aircraft carriers for many years. We are currently making adjustments, including this menu, but have not yet reached a final decision.' Saito did not deny the possibility of 'cross-deck drills.' Meanwhile, Commodore James Blackmore, commander of United Kingdom carrier strike group, expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with the JSDF, saying that they will have personnel from the JMSDF and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force board the aircraft carrier and train together, according to an article published by the Yomiuri Shimbun on April 23. Blackmore spoke on April 16, before the HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth in the south of England, the Japanese newspaper said. The U.K. commander also expressed his hope for the realization of joint training with the JS Kaga, which is being upgraded as a light aircraft carrier in preparation for the deployment of the F-35B, the newspaper also said. When the HMS Queen Elizabeth was dispatched to Japan in September 2021, no joint training of this nature was conducted. The JS Izumo conducted takeoff and landing tests of the U.S. military's F-35B in October 2021. Following that, the JS Kaga also conducted takeoff and landing tests of the U.S. military's F-35B in October 2024. Steady steps are being taken toward converting the two Izumo-class destroyers into light aircraft carriers. Notably, the U.S. F-35B landed aboard JS Kaga for the first time on October 20, 2024, off the southern coast of California and was piloted by Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nick Baker, a test pilot with the F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) in the U.S. state of Maryland. The Japanese Ministry of Defense will begin deploying its own F-35Bs to the Nyutabaru Air Base of the JASDF in Miyazaki Prefecture in fiscal year 2025. The plan is to deploy a total of 42 aircraft in the future. Following the JS Kaga, the JS Izumo is currently undergoing major modifications to turn it into a light aircraft carrier at Japan Marine United's (JMU) Isogo Works, a shipyard in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. China is rapidly expanding its maritime presence using aircraft carriers. China's two operational aircraft carriers, Liaonging and Shandong, conducted a total of about 1,120 takeoffs and landings of fighter jets during most recent sailings that have seen the Chinese Navy expand increasingly farther into the Pacific Ocean, a spokesperson at the Joint Staff Office of the Japanese Defense Ministry told The Diplomat on June 24. Specifically, the spokesperson said those Chinese aircraft carriers had conducted the flight operations in the Pacific Ocean near Japan through June 22 after being tracked by the JMSDF from late May.
The Diplomat
11-07-2025
- The Diplomat
Japan-Canada Sign Security of Information Agreement
On July 8, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand signed the Security of Information Agreement (SIA) to enable exchanges of national security-related data and facilitate two-way defense procurements. Japan already has similar agreements with the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Negotiations for the SIA began over two years ago – before the start of the current Trump administration – and signing such an agreement was the first bullet point under the Japan-Canada 'Action Plan for contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region' inked in October 2022. During her two-day trip to Japan, when the agreement was signed, Anand penned an op-ed for The Japan News. In it she stated, 'Canada is determined to use its G7 presidency this year to show the world there is a viable alternative to the global disorder we are seeing. Japan, a longtime friend of Canada, is central to this vision of upholding the rules-based international order and the rule of law, respecting territorial integrity, and protecting human rights and democratic values.' General Jennie Carignan, Canada's chief of the defense staff, similarly highlighted Japan's importance to Canada in an interview with The Japan Times on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue last month. Japan is a 'priority partner' for Canada. Furthermore, 'We oppose unilateral positioning in the region because it is destabilizing and affects our capacity to freely access our various trade partners. Hence, our commitment to be present in the area, to allow for the international rules to be followed and ensure that freedom of navigation is exercised.' The SIA would be legally binding and must still be ratified by parliament. The deal does not authorize or specify what information will be exchanged, but it does regulate how sensitive data will be shared, handled, stored, and disposed of by Japan and Canada. Iwaya noted, 'With this agreement… the sharing of confidential security information between Canada and Japan will become markedly smoother.' Anand described the SIA as giving Canada and Japan the 'tools we need to strengthen our security partnership.' While the SIA allows for greater security cooperation, the Japanese and Canadian governments and private sector actors must take advantage of the streamlined framework to truly get the benefits of security cooperation. Information security deals normally allow vetted firms to access classified information and bid on sensitive procurements in foreign markets. To truly collaborate, the Japanese government must be willing to let Canadian firms participate in opportunities in their defense, security, aerospace, marine, nuclear, and space industries – and vice versa. Just as importantly, the Japanese and Canadian firms must have an interest in pursuing such collaboration. The next steps in Japan-Canada security cooperation would be the signing of a bilateral defense equipment and technology transfer deal. Canada may also become the fifth country since 2022 to sign a visiting forces pact with Japan. Australia, the U.K., and the Philippines already have such agreements with Japan, and France is likely to complete one soon. A visiting forces agreement could open the door to larger and more complex joint military training on each other's territory and rotational troop deployments. Japan and Canada – in addition to greater collaboration through the Five Eyes arrangement – may also find themselves collaborating as partners in the U.S.-U.S.-Australia AUKUS Pillar II arrangement. The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec will dock in Japan and participate in drills with the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) this summer, and Japan is interested in participating in Canada's Arctic defense exercise, Operation Nanook. Japan-Canada cooperation is also growing in importance in non-security domains. On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague last month, Iwaya and Anand agreed on the importance of realizing the free and open Indo-Pacific, lauded Canada's initiatives to monitor illegal fishing activities and illicit maritime activities in the region, and discussed economic issues, including energy cooperation, LNG Canada, and small modular reactors. At the most recent meeting between Iwaya and Anand, they also welcomed the start of imports of Canadian LNG by the Japanese private sector. During Prime Minister Ishiba and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, also last month, Ishiba and Carney touched on the SIA – which has been signed now – the agreement concerning transfer of defense equipment and technology, as well as economic issues including energy cooperation, critical minerals cooperation, and the uncertainty of the global economy. Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell recently traveled to Japan and met with Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President Hiroshi Yamakawa. Japan and Canada are committed to common space goals, such as advancing peaceful exploration of space, strengthening industry ties, and supporting innovation. Japan is also pursuing an SIA with New Zealand. New Zealand is the only Five Eyes country with which Japan does not have such an agreement yet. Last November, Japan became the first non-Five Eyes country to host a gathering of senior enlisted service members from this intelligence partnership.
