SDF chief zeroes in on air defense as threats grow increasingly complex

Japan's top uniformed military officer, Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, listens during an interview with The Japan Times at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Monday. Imagine hundreds if not thousands of enemy missiles and artificial intelligence-enabled drones speeding toward your country, some at hypersonic speeds, capable of overwhelming your air defenses. But for Japan's top uniformed military officer, reinforcing the country's defense capabilities to counter these complex and diverse threats is not just a concern, it's become one of his top priorities. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.