A MIM-104 Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile System fires as part of a bilateral live-fire exercise with military members from the Royal Netherlands Ground-based Air Defense Command at McGregor Range in New Mexico on May 11, 2024. (US Army)
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Uzushio-class submarine participates in an international fleet review at Sagami Bay on November 6, 2022, off Yokosuka, Japan. (Getty Images)
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force carries an 84mm Carl Gustav rocket launcher during Exercise Iron Fist 2014, a joint-exercise with US Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton on February 9, 2014. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
Naval ships from multiple nations steam in formation during the RIMPAC excercise operations near Oahu, Hawaii, July 11, 2002. (Phil Mislinski/Getty Images)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers his speech at the 13th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30, 2014 in Singapore. (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
A Taiwan fishing boat (R) is blocked by a Japan Coast Guard (L) vessel near the disputed Diaoyu / Senkaku islands in the East China Sea on September 25, 2012. (SAM YEH/AFP/GettyImages)