Coup collateral: New defence minister cancels lucrative meeting with Japan, Australia

A defence industry source says the cancellation could cost New Zealand tens or hundreds of millions in potential offshore defence contracts.

Japan is looking beyond the United States to enhance its defence capabilities, as mounting doubt over American munitions supplies pushes Tokyo to seek deeper industrial ties on this front with Australia and India. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s visits to the two countries this week are set to advance cooperation s

Discussions to focus on Australia’s acquisition of Mogami-class frigates as Japan plays down Albanese’s podcast comments Japan’s defence minister will visit Canberra this week, the highest level engagement with Australia after controversy over Anthony Albanese’s comments about a gift of melons from prime minister Sanae

Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead  Reuters

There had been speculation that Sanae Takaichi, a regular visitor before becoming Japan's prime minister in October 2025, might visit the shrine like then-premier Shinzo Abe had done in 2013.

Zelenskyy calls for more sanctions on Russian defence supply chains  euractiv.com

To many Japanese people, the gift at the centre of the podcast controversy is more than just a melon.