Aaron Kidd
@kiddaaron.bsky.social
Pacific Bureau Chief for Stars and Stripes | Tokyo
The U.S. military is warning service members to leave electronic cigarettes at home when traveling to Singapore, where possession of vapes is illegal and can lead to heavy fines, deportation and bans on reentry.
Troops told to avoid bringing e-cigs to Singapore amid crackdown on vaping
The U.S. military has been airing warnings on American Forces Network television as Singapore steps up enforcement of its vaping laws since Sept. 1.
www.stripes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The U.S. military is warning service members to leave electronic cigarettes at home when traveling to Singapore, where possession of vapes is illegal and can lead to heavy fines, deportation and bans on reentry.
YOKOSUKA, Japan — The family of a Japanese motorcyclist killed in an April collision with a car driven by a U.S. sailor has filed a civil lawsuit as police continue to investigate the case.
Family sues US sailor yet to be charged in fatal motorcycle collision in Japan
A Japanese family sues a US sailor yet to be charged in a fatal motorcycle collision in Yokosuka, Japan
www.stripes.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:16 AM
YOKOSUKA, Japan — The family of a Japanese motorcyclist killed in an April collision with a car driven by a U.S. sailor has filed a civil lawsuit as police continue to investigate the case.
South Korea will raise defense spending by 7.5% next year to $44.8 billion, with $13.6 billion dedicated to strengthening its forces, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday.
South Korea unveils nearly $45 billion defense budget, expands 3-axis deterrence
South Korea will raise defense spending by 7.5% next year to $44.8 billion, the Ministry of National Defense said.
www.stripes.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
South Korea will raise defense spending by 7.5% next year to $44.8 billion, with $13.6 billion dedicated to strengthening its forces, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday.
Japan’s Defense Ministry has denied a report that it is considering selling surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines, even as it acknowledged that Tokyo may soon loosen long-standing restrictions on arms exports.
Tokyo rejects report on missile exports to Philippines as it reviews defense trade limits
Japan’s Defense Ministry has denied that it is considering selling Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines.
www.stripes.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Japan’s Defense Ministry has denied a report that it is considering selling surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines, even as it acknowledged that Tokyo may soon loosen long-standing restrictions on arms exports.
An American soldier is in critical condition after a single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in central Okinawa, according to the U.S. Army.
US soldier in critical condition following single-vehicle crash on Okinawa
A U.S. soldier is in critical condition due to a single-vehicle crash on Okinawa, Japan.
www.stripes.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:42 AM
An American soldier is in critical condition after a single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in central Okinawa, according to the U.S. Army.
The Defense Department is widening child care options for military families and civilian employees on Guam as the island braces for a major increase in U.S. troop levels over the next decade.
Navy opens off-base child care program to meet growing demand on Guam
The Navy recently expanded eligibility to include off-base child care providers on Guam as the island braces for a major increase in U.S. troop levels.
www.stripes.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:17 AM
The Defense Department is widening child care options for military families and civilian employees on Guam as the island braces for a major increase in U.S. troop levels over the next decade.
The Navy is moving ahead with plans to expand and modernize vast training areas used in waters off Hawaii and California, including the addition of mine warfare ranges, the service announced Tuesday.
Navy proceeds with expansion of vast training areas off Hawaii, California
The Navy contends that modernizing the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Study Area is needed to complement America’s newest weapons and drone systems.
www.stripes.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:12 AM
The Navy is moving ahead with plans to expand and modernize vast training areas used in waters off Hawaii and California, including the addition of mine warfare ranges, the service announced Tuesday.
YOKOHAMA, Japan — With warfare and medical technology evolving at breakneck speed, defense health professionals from more than 20 nations gathered here Tuesday to push for deeper cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
‘We must adapt’: US, allies tackle future battlefield medicine at health exchange in Japan
With warfare and medical technology evolving at breakneck speed, defense health professionals push for deeper cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
www.stripes.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
YOKOHAMA, Japan — With warfare and medical technology evolving at breakneck speed, defense health professionals from more than 20 nations gathered here Tuesday to push for deeper cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
South Korea has recovered 25 sets of remains and nearly 2,000 artifacts from a former Korean War battlefield inside the Demilitarized Zone, the country’s defense ministry said Monday, calling the excavation a step toward easing tension with the North.
South Korea recovers 25 war dead, nearly 2,000 artifacts in DMZ excavation
South Korea has recovered 25 sets of remains and nearly 2,000 artifacts from a former Korean War battlefield inside the Demilitarized Zone, the country’s defense ministry said.
www.stripes.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:15 AM
South Korea has recovered 25 sets of remains and nearly 2,000 artifacts from a former Korean War battlefield inside the Demilitarized Zone, the country’s defense ministry said Monday, calling the excavation a step toward easing tension with the North.
An American civilian whose violent arrest by U.S. military police on Okinawa was captured on viral video says the unprovoked takedown left him injured, traumatized and demanding answers.
‘Suplexed to the ground’: Civilian says violent military police arrest on Okinawa was unprovoked
An American civilian whose violent arrest by U.S. military police on Okinawa was captured on viral video says the unprovoked takedown left him injured.
www.stripes.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:31 AM
An American civilian whose violent arrest by U.S. military police on Okinawa was captured on viral video says the unprovoked takedown left him injured, traumatized and demanding answers.
The Pentagon has not given Congress a clear picture of how it prioritizes and funds deterrence efforts in the Indo-Pacific, leaving lawmakers without a full understanding of U.S. strategy as China expands its military reach, a government watchdog warned.
Pentagon fails to give Congress clear view of Indo-Pacific deterrence spending, GAO says
The Pentagon and INDOPACOM build budgets separately, the GAO said, leaving lawmakers with an incomplete understanding of U.S. strategy in the Pacific.
www.stripes.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:12 AM
The Pentagon has not given Congress a clear picture of how it prioritizes and funds deterrence efforts in the Indo-Pacific, leaving lawmakers without a full understanding of U.S. strategy as China expands its military reach, a government watchdog warned.
Some service members who wear beards for religious reasons worry the Pentagon may soon target their shaving waivers, a concern driven by recent policy shifts that have already tightened rules for troops with medical exemptions.
Troops with religious beards fear Pentagon crackdown on their shaving waivers
Some service members who wear beards for religious reasons worry the Pentagon may soon target their shaving waivers.
www.stripes.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Some service members who wear beards for religious reasons worry the Pentagon may soon target their shaving waivers, a concern driven by recent policy shifts that have already tightened rules for troops with medical exemptions.
North Korea may grow more hostile next year unless diplomacy resumes, the South’s unification minister has warned while urging renewed efforts to restart talks with Pyongyang.
Seoul warns Pyongyang may grow more hostile in 2026 without renewed dialogue
North Korea may grow more hostile next year unless diplomacy resumes, the South’s unification minister warned while urging renewed efforts to restart talks.
www.stripes.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:58 AM
North Korea may grow more hostile next year unless diplomacy resumes, the South’s unification minister has warned while urging renewed efforts to restart talks with Pyongyang.
Japan is considering whether to sell surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines as Tokyo moves to loosen export restrictions and respond to rising security threats in the region, according to a local media report.
Japan weighs missile sales to Philippines as both nations eye China threat
Japan is considering whether to sell surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines as Tokyo moves to respond to rising security threats in the region.
www.stripes.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Japan is considering whether to sell surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines as Tokyo moves to loosen export restrictions and respond to rising security threats in the region, according to a local media report.
A plan to station surface-to-air missiles on an island within sight of Taiwan is “steadily progressing,” Japan’s defense minister said Sunday amid heightened tensions with China.
Japan’s defense minister restates surface-to-air missile plan on island near Taiwan
A plan to station surface-to-air missiles on an island within sight of Taiwan is “steadily progressing,” Japan’s defense minister said.
www.stripes.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:54 AM
A plan to station surface-to-air missiles on an island within sight of Taiwan is “steadily progressing,” Japan’s defense minister said Sunday amid heightened tensions with China.
TOKYO — Craft beer, barbecue and a message of community filled Hibiya Park over the weekend as the U.S. ambassador to Japan kicked off a three-day celebration of American food and drink in the heart of the capital.
US breweries showcase new craft flavors in Tokyo as ambassador celebrates community
Beer, barbecue and a message of community filled Hibiya Park as the U.S. ambassador to Japan kicked off a fest with American food and drink in Tokyo.
www.stripes.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:26 AM
TOKYO — Craft beer, barbecue and a message of community filled Hibiya Park over the weekend as the U.S. ambassador to Japan kicked off a three-day celebration of American food and drink in the heart of the capital.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Parachute training is resuming at this western Tokyo airlift hub after a U.S. Army paratrooper drifted off course and landed in a nearby city, prompting a protest from the mayor and a temporary halt to jumps.
Jump training restarts at Yokota after mayor protests paratrooper’s off-base landing
Parachute training resumed after a pause sparked by a soldier unintentionally landing in Hamura city after jumping from a C-130J Super Hercules.
www.stripes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Parachute training is resuming at this western Tokyo airlift hub after a U.S. Army paratrooper drifted off course and landed in a nearby city, prompting a protest from the mayor and a temporary halt to jumps.
A survey last month of service members living in military housing drew nearly 3,400 respondents who cited at least one significant or dangerous issue in their homes.
Survey finds mold, air quality problems are widespread in military housing
A recent survey of U.S. service members living in military housing drew nearly 3,400 respondents who cited at least one significant or dangerous issue.
www.stripes.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 AM
A survey last month of service members living in military housing drew nearly 3,400 respondents who cited at least one significant or dangerous issue in their homes.
George Takei, best known for his role as starship Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the science fiction TV and movie series “Star Trek,” gave a Vulcan salute Thursday before speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.
‘Star Trek’ actor recalls boyhood detention during WWII in camp for Japanese-Americans
George Takei was among the Japanese-Americans detained at camps after Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
www.stripes.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
George Takei, best known for his role as starship Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the science fiction TV and movie series “Star Trek,” gave a Vulcan salute Thursday before speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.
South Korea reported two injuries this week in separate military-related incidents — one involving an explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone and the other a misfired mortar round that struck a civilian during training.
DMZ explosion, wayward mortar round trigger investigations in South Korea
South Korea reported two injuries in separate military-related incidents.
www.stripes.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
South Korea reported two injuries this week in separate military-related incidents — one involving an explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone and the other a misfired mortar round that struck a civilian during training.
Ivan W. Atkins Jr., who survived the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor while serving with two of his brothers aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, died Oct. 27 at age 102, according to an obituary published by McAdams Mortuary.
Sailor who survived Pearl Harbor attack alongside his 2 brothers dies at 102
Ivan W. Atkins Jr., who survived the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while serving aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, died at age 102.
www.stripes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Ivan W. Atkins Jr., who survived the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor while serving with two of his brothers aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, died Oct. 27 at age 102, according to an obituary published by McAdams Mortuary.
A U.S. Army paratrooper was forced to land in a Tokyo suburb Tuesday evening after drifting off course during parachute training, prompting a complaint from a local official.
US paratrooper lands in Tokyo suburb after chute malfunctions during training
A U.S. Army paratrooper drifted off course during jump training and was forced to land in a Tokyo suburb — reportedly on the roof of a house.
www.stripes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:13 AM
A U.S. Army paratrooper was forced to land in a Tokyo suburb Tuesday evening after drifting off course during parachute training, prompting a complaint from a local official.
A Navy-backed 3D-printing lab under construction on Guam aims to slash the monthlong wait for ship and infrastructure parts on the island by producing them locally.
Guam’s new 3D-printing hub aims to cut months off military repair wait times
The Guam Additive Manufacturing and Materials Accelerator aims to to slash the wait for ship and infrastructure parts on Guam.
www.stripes.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:43 PM
A Navy-backed 3D-printing lab under construction on Guam aims to slash the monthlong wait for ship and infrastructure parts on the island by producing them locally.
Soldiers, airmen team up to hurl 160 tons of gear from aircraft during Hawaii combat drills (by @wyattwolson.bsky.social)
Soldiers, airmen team up to airdrop 160 tons of gear during Hawaii combat drills
An Army aerial delivery unit from Alaska packed more than 160 tons of gear onto parachute-rigged pallets and dropped them over Hawaii’s Big Island.
www.stripes.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Soldiers, airmen team up to hurl 160 tons of gear from aircraft during Hawaii combat drills (by @wyattwolson.bsky.social)
A U.S. Marine in a Japanese court Tuesday denied sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on a Marine Corps base but admitted injuring another woman during the March incident.
Marine in court denies sexually assaulting woman in gym restroom on Okinawa base
A U.S. Marine in a Japanese court denied sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on a Marine Corps base but admitted injuring another woman.
www.stripes.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:41 AM
A U.S. Marine in a Japanese court Tuesday denied sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on a Marine Corps base but admitted injuring another woman during the March incident.