KCNA says US military headquarters in Japan turns into ‘war command’

Tensions on the Korean PeninsulaKCNA says US military headquarters in Japan turns into ‘war command’ According to the agency, the purpose of the reform is to ensure joint actions of the US and Japan’s armies in the event of war and to expand the capabilities of US troops to conduct independent operations in the regionPYONGYANG, July 31. /TASS/. The headquarters of the US forces in Japan is turning into a "war command," which will be assigned a key role in a possible armed conflict in the Asia-Pacific region, the Central Telegraphic Agency of Korea (KCNA) said. The publication came in the wake of the US forces commander’s comment that since last year the number of command personnel in Japan had been increased by more than 200 troops to strengthen its functions. He said this ensured a round-the-clock performance of combat missions and increase the ability to respond promptly to a crisis in the region. According to KCNA, Washington is turning the command of troops in Japan from a structure that performed primarily administrative functions into a unified command with authority to manage military operations as the US plans to integrate the command and control system with the Joint Operational Command of the Japan Self-Defense Forces established last year. According to the agency, the purpose of the reform is to ensure joint actions of the US and Japan’s armies in the event of war and to expand the capabilities of US troops to conduct independent operations in the region. KCNA claims that in the event of an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula, it will be the US troops in Japan who will be among the first to be involved. The publication also says that the United States, Japan and South Korea continue to strengthen military cooperation, including through joint exercises, which indicates Washington's continued course towards confrontation with North Korea and requires Pyongyang to further strengthen its nuclear deterrence capabilities. The agency draws a historical parallel with the command of the US army during the Korean War. KCNA says that the transformation of the current command of US troops in Japan into a "war command" will be, as in the past, "a direct path to a shameful defeat.". TagsSituation on the Korean PeninsulaNearly 49,000 migrants enter Spain's Ceuta over past 24 hours — radioAt least 24 people died trying to reach the enclaveRead moreMaduro praises situation in Venezuela — RodriguezDelcy Rodriguez said that she had only received a few messages from Nicolas Maduro through his lawyers since JanuaryRead moreNetanyahu, Trump discuss three scenarios for dealing with Iran — ReutersThe source said that in the current conflict with Iran, the US president is acting as the "senior partner," while the Israeli prime minister is playing the role of "junior partner"Read moreUkraine admits failure to intercept any hypersonic missiles at nightThe General Staff also acknowledged that the Ukrainian army was unable to shoot down several Russian Iskander-M ballistic missilesRead moreZelensky spouts rhetoric about ceasefire, but continues to strike energy sites — diplomatIn Maria Zakharova's words, Zelensky is absolutely unable to negotiateRead morePress review: US-Iran strike lull short-lived and Telegram's Durov faces terrorism chargesTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 30thRead moreIran strikes US military facilities in BahrainThe Iranian army struck electric generators, a navigation system and administrative buildingsRead moreAny loss of F-16 fighter jet to be painful for Kiev — Der TagesspiegelThe publication emphasized that Ukraine is unable to produce them on its ownRead moreRussia developing new air defense system against Ukrainian UAVs — expertYevgeny Poddubny highlighted three key conditions for successful defense against enemy UAVs: the presence of radar stations, mobility, and well-coordinated interaction of unitsRead moreWeapons supplies to Kiev fall into European mafia hands — expertAlexander Stepanov said that it transforms European organized criminal groups and communities into paramilitary combat units equipped to carry out a wider range of tasksRead morePolish PM claims Russian missile fell in Poland despite no debris analysis yetDonald Tusk stated that "everything points to a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile"Read moreRussia liberated 13 settlements in the Kharkov region in July — administration headRussian units continue their advance in the area of Kupyansk, developing the offensive downstream along the Oskol River in the direction of BorovayaRead moreRussian Battlegroup North’s Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian MLRS in Sumy RegionThe distance from the operator to the target was more than 20 kilometersRead moreRussian forces deploy over 100,000 Gerbera drones in special op zone in Ukraine — expertIgor Potapov noted that the Gerbera was initially designed as an air defense decoy, a deception targetRead moreBig Tech’s AI investments top $1 trillion — FT reportsAccording to the newspaper, such spending demonstrates both the scale of the AI ambitions and the speed at which America's technology giants have developedRead moreRiyadh seeks 50-nation coalition to protect Red Sea shippingThe key issue in establishing the coalition is the position of the United StatesRead moreTrump says Witkoff, Kushner to visit Ukraine in coming days — mediaThe US president told the Financial Times that his attention was focused on ending the conflictRead moreUS journalist Owens declares her love for RussiaThe American journalist denied any allegations of her ties to the Russian authoritiesRead moreUkrainian army abandons weapons in three settlements while retreating — Defense MinistryThe Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported that Battlegroup North units established control over the settlement of Yurchenkovo in the Kharkov RegionRead moreDurov's bank accounts frozen after terrorist tag applied — expertPavel Durov will not be able to open a sole proprietorship or become self-employed in the Russian FederationRead moreSpain’s Ceuta sees migrant 'invasion' — PoliticoAccording to the report, the crisis in Ceuta has provoked criticism of the migration strategy of the Spanish governmentRead moreSaudi Arabia-Israel normalization is possible, Trump saysThe US president said he had discussed normalization with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanRead moreFate of 45,000 Russian children adopted abroad remains unknown — lawmakerAccording to Nina Ostanina, these children had left the country before the law banning adoptions abroad was passed in 2022Read moreFires at Wildberries facilities, 258 drones: aftermath of attacks on Russian regionsAccording to latest reports, four people were injuredRead moreNew temporary export ban and fuel supply for agriculture enterprises: cabinet’s measuresUnder the signed decree, the temporary export ban on fuels will be in effect from August 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027Read moreEU makes Ukraine integral part of its military machine — Russia’s envoy to OSCESimultaneously with Ukraine's arming, NATO's military exercises are widening at an unprecedented rate, and its military infrastructure is being expanded directly near Russia's borders, Dmitry Polyansky saidRead moreFive injured, fire at warehouses in Volgograd Region: aftermath of Ukrainian UAV attackOne person was injured in the Rostov Region in southern RussiaRead moreIran demands International Maritime Organization to condemn Ukrainian attack on its shipThe Iranian government requested the UN agency "to duly reflect the Ukrainian attack against the Iranian vessel ANA as a serious threat to maritime safety, commercial shipping and the safety of seafarers"Read moreRussia cushions external shocks through large FX reserves — IMF The remaining restrictions on cross-border transfers curtailed capital outflows and helped preserve buffers, the report saidRead moreFire breaks out at Wildberries warehouse in VolgogradThe company said the facility had previously been attackedRead moreNew drones forcing armies around world to change approaches to air defense — expertYevgeny Poddubny noted that such factors as UAV range and combat power continued to evolveRead moreRussian forces liberate four settlements in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassThe Russia's battlegroup North has established control over the settlements of Yurchenkovo in the Kharkov Region, and Mogritsa and Malaya Slobodka in the Sumy RegionRead moreRussia urges UN to condemn Moldova's actions against Russian language — envoyGennady Gatilov says that the issue of the Russian language has long been used by the geopolitical opponents as a tool to "separate the former Soviet republics from Russia by any means"Read moreLukashenko thanks Trump for revealing true nature of US foreign policyAs an example of a wise and pragmatic model of national development, the Belarusian president pointed to ChinaRead moreRussia, Mauritania sign memorandum of understanding on economic cooperationThe sides focused closely on fisheries cooperation, a mutually beneficial partnership spanning over 50 yearsRead moreUkrainian attacks on Black Sea energy facilities raise concerns — Russian diplomatOn July 30, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium reported another drone attack on two tankers near its terminal outside the southern Russian city of NovorossiyskRead moreInternational Ice Hockey Federation rules to keep Russia barred until 2027The decision was made due to "ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns"Read morePoland not target of object that fell in southeast of country — TuskThe Polish PM said that the US was interested in investigating the circumstances of the incidentRead moreZelensky totally unreasonable, tries to scale up conflict — diplomatMaria Zakharova noted that the head of Kiev regime was trying to engage as many countries as possible into his terrorist actionsRead moreWorld Boxing allows Russian athletes to compete under national symbolsIn April, Russian athletes were allowed to compete as neutralsRead moreLebanon’s billionaire Sehnaoui accused of treason following dinner with Israel’s NetanyahuLebanese Prosecutor General Ahmed Rami al-Hajj issued an arrest warrant for Antoun Sehnaoui for violating the law on the boycott of the Jewish state, in force since 1955Read moreIN BRIEF: IIHF Council extends suspension of Russian ice hockey playersThe Council said the decision was "due to ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns"Read moreRestrictions on Pavel Durov unrelated to Telegram — watchdogAt the same time, organizations involved in financial transactions and deals with other property are obliged to freeze assets of those designated as terrorists and extremists in Russia, the federal agency saidRead morePress review: Trump, Zelensky hold dubious meeting as Netanyahu tries to kill Iran truceTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 29thRead moreIran’s IRGC reports destroying three planes at US base in JordanAccording to the Iranian side, casualties were also reportedRead more‘Christian Corps’ plans punitive operations in Ukraine — Russian security officialAccording to available information, it includes members of the Tradition and Order group, the Stugna special unit and the Belarusian Volunteers groupRead moreRussian drone operators destroy 120 Ukrainian UAV control posts in Kharkov area over monthAccording to the chief of Planning and Counter-UAV Operations of the 11th Army Corps, the destruction of Ukrainian UAV control posts helps reduce the activity of Ukrainian kamikaze and hexacopter drones at certain sectors of the engagement lineRead moreRussian missions assist compatriots in Baltics daily — envoyGennady Gatilov said protecting the rights and freedoms of Russians and Russian-speaking residents in the Baltic states remains one of Moscow's top priorities across the post-Soviet spaceRead moreImpunity in Nord Stream sabotage case provokes new precedents — Russian envoyRussian ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev noted that Moscow was closely monitoring the investigation into the sabotage of the pipelinesRead moreRussian Kalinskaya reaches tennis quarterfinals in WashingtonThe player defeated Indonesia's Janice TjenRead moreMoscow urges Austria to resolve diplomatic visa issue — envoyAccording to Andrey Grozov, the visa issue remains "the most sensitive area" in relations with ViennaRead moreUkrainian ports handling military cargoes are legitimate targets for Russia — MPThe Russian Defense Ministry regularly reports strikes on Ukrainian ports used for delivering military supplies to the Ukrainian armed forcesRead moreSixteen-year-old Russian Lyutova advances to WTA quarterfinals in USThe tennis player defeated Australia's Maya JointRead moreEuropean football authorities oppose Infantino’s plans to sell World Cup’s rights — UEFAThe World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product, it is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies, the statement saysRead moreRussian envoy likens migrant influx into Ceuta to fall of RomeKirill Dmitriev accompanied his post with Thomas Cole's painting "Destruction" from "The Course of Empire" series and a photograph from CeutaRead moreCENTCOM says no US planes damaged by Iranian strikesAccording to the US military, all missiles and drones were intercepted or failed to reach targeted areasRead moreAir defenses shoot down 59 Ukrainian drones over seven Russian regionsThe Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs were intercepted over Belgorod, Kirov, Kursk, Rostov, Udmurt and Perm regions, as well as CrimeaRead moreFACTBOX: What is known about last night's massive strike by Russia on targets in UkraineAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes hit military airfields, defense industry enterprises, military telecommunication and logistics centers of UkraineRead moreArmenia does not intend to cut off dialogue with Russia — PashinyanThe Armenian PM stated that he did not consider the country plunging crisis due to restrictive measures imposed by RussiaRead moreIran carries out drone strikes on military facilities at air base in KuwaitAccording to the statement, the air base in Kuwait plays a vital role in US air reconnaissance and support operationsRead moreWorld Boxing lifts all restrictions on Russian athletesThe decision was announced by Russian Sports Minister Mikhail DegtyarevRead moreArms deliveries to Ukraine create problems for West — Crimean officialWeapons may end up in the hands of criminal groups, Vladimir Konstantinov said Read moreLNG market holds promise, but Russia faces cold reception — expertGlobal LNG production capacity could expand by 65% over the next five years, with the US driving roughly half of that growth, Anvar Gafiatullin notedRead morePR for Zelensky's terrorism, pride in Russians, 'healthy anger': Lavrov's statementsThe Russian foreign minister added that people need to understand the gravity of a situation where essentially the entire West is against RussiaRead moreRussia at important point of completing special op — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman addressed volunteers of the United Russia Young Guard and the Volunteer Company departing to the special military operation zoneRead moreRussia strongly condemns Ukrainian attempt to attack Zaporozhye nuke plant — MFAThe attack was supposed to target a spent nuclear fuel dry storage facilityRead moreMajor ChinaJoy digital entertainment expo opens in Shanghai with Russian participationRussian companies VK, RuStore, Yandex Ads, and the Moscow Department of Culture's Creative Industries Agency will participate in the eventRead moreSpain summons Italian ambassador over Schengen remarksSpanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Antonio Tajani's statement on an intention to suspend the Schengen Agreement with Spain was "unworthy of the foreign minister of a partner and friendly country"Read moreIsrael says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels near BeaufortAccording to a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the IDF will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon and will "continue to destroy all terror infrastructure"Read morePress review: Putin-Xi-Trump meeting rumors swirl while Kiev plays Poland against RussiaTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, July 31stRead moreBelousov congratulates Battlegroup Center on liberating Mogritsa in Sumy RegionThe defense minister noted that that strategic success had opened up new opportunities for the development of Russia's offensiveRead moreWestern support provokes Zelensky to new dangerous adventures — Russian Foreign MinistrySuch actions by the Kiev regime would not have been possible if it had not had a constant political support provided to it by Western countries, Maria Zakharova notedRead moreEU seeks seat at Ukraine talks while refusing to hear Moscow — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova added that the West had blocked access to all alternative viewpointsRead moreRussia to insist on identifying masterminds of Nord Stream sabotage — ambassadorSergey Nechayev highlighted that the fact that "the German prosecutor general’s office admitted that it was not just an accident involving six diving amateurs who somehow managed to plant explosives" was "an important sign by itself"Read moreTrump restricts export of waste containing recoverable critical materialsAccording to documents published on the White House website, the US Department of Commerce must determine the scope of the restrictionsRead moreLebanese president determined to ensure withdrawal of Israeli troopsJoseph Aoun separately said after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Lebanon’s authorities intend "to rebuild the country, carry out reforms, and launch an economic recovery process"Read moreLDARZ, LORTA plants in Lvov, struck by Russia, were of strategic importance for KievBoth plants were added to the list of strategic enterprises in 2015, when Ukraine embarked on a course of militarization with Western supportRead moreMedvedev says Ukraine conflict to end in Russia’s victoryThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that the authorities would have to ensure the transfer of people from the military sector to the civilian sector of economy after the end of the conflictRead moreIN BRIEF: Belarus tips Poland off about plot to attack opposition figure’s childrenAccording to the former operative of Belarus’ State Security Committee, the attack was being planned by former journalist Denis Dashkevich, a member of the Belarusian oppositionRead moreAllies not ready to provide US with direct military aid in conflict with Iran — newspaperPolitico noted that "traditional US partners are wary of any direct support until they receive reassurances of a lasting ceasefire – or other promises" from WashingtonRead moreTrump says Israel to withdraw forces from Gaza after Hamas disarmamentAccording to the US president, as disarmament is completed, the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to ensure safetyRead moreAt least 18 migrants die trying to reach Spain's Ceuta — mediaLocal media previously reported that more than 1,500 migrants reached Ceuta from Morocco over the past weekRead moreNLMK steelmaker reports H1 2026 IFRS net profit down 45.6% year-on-yearIn the reporting period, the company’s revenue fell 11.6% to $4.8 blnRead moreRussia welcomes UN efforts to advance Cyprus settlement — envoyMurat Zyazikov stated that Russia continues to advocate resolving the Cyprus issue "solely through dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful negotiations" under UN auspicesRead moreKiev uses drones to scatter new type of Lepestok landmine in LPR — diplomatKiev broadly uses anti-personnel landmines and explosive devices to booby-trap civilian facilitiesRead moreUkrainian positional defense tactics collapsing under Russian army pressure — officialYevgeny Lisnyak noted that the main problem for the Ukrainian armed forces is the lack of personnel and the quality of reinforcementsRead moreUkrainian strikes on Zaporozhye nuke plant pose risk of radioactive contamination — expertThe drone was detected in close proximity to the transporter storage building, which is used to move containers with spent nuclear fuelRead moreShnaider advances to quarterfinals of tennis tournament in WashingtonDiana Shnaider will face Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the quarterfinalsRead moreTrump says agreement on full disarmament of Hamas reachedThe US president stated that an agreement on the complete disarmament of all other armed groups in Gaza was also reachedRead moreAurus helicopter could be developed based on offshore Mi-171A3The project was carried out in partnership with Gazprom and coordinated by its subsidiary, Gazprom TechRead moreDrapaty’s appointment reflects compromise with West — Russian diplomatAccording to Rodion Miroshnik, Vladimir Zelensky had to make this decision because Mikhail Drapaty "belongs to the group" represented by former Defense Minister Mikhail FyodorovRead moreNumber of Colombian mercenaries in Ukraine eclipses 7,000 — defense sourcesCaptured Colombians almost unanimously claim that the conditions promised during recruitment are radically different from realityRead moreHamas, Palestinian factions agree on all Gaza deal provisions — TVAccording to sources cited by Al Hadath, the official announcement will be made "after the Israeli side signal its approval to the provisions"Read moreRussian troops take Novaya Sech, start fighting for two neighboring settlements — expertFighting has begun for Kiyanitsa and KhrapovshchinaRead moreRussia doubts Armenia can secure comparable gas prices outside EAEU — ministryAccording to Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia supplies gas to Armenia at $177.5 per 1,000 cubic meters within the Union’s Common Gas MarketRead morePavel Durov added to list of terrorists and extremists — Russia’s financial watchdogPavel Durov has been charged with aiding terrorist activities in Russia as part of a criminal investigation, and proceedings have been initiated to place him on an international wanted listRead moreWest helps Ukraine not out of altruism, but pushes it into debtWestern financing will not bring anything good for the economy or for the development of the country's infrastructure, Vitaly Ganchev emphasizedRead moreWest trying to provoke nuclear incident to start open war with Russia — expertRenat Karchaa noted that the section of the front line where Energodar and the ZNPP are located is overseen by UK military expertsRead moreRussian man detained for scouting defense sites for UkraineThe suspect confessed to conducting reconnaissance of Russian military facilities on behalf of a terrorist organizationRead moreTrump 'not sure' US will grant Ukraine license to produce Patriot ammunitionThe US president said that Washington was "looking at it"Read moreAfter liberating Svetloye in DPR, Russian forces about to liberate Vodyanskoye — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, after Svetloye’s liberation, Russian forces have gained control of more than ten square kilometers of territories that had been occupied by Ukrainian troopsRead more