US thanks Japan for defense upgrade and Patriot guided missile decision

NewsWorldAmericasUS thanks Japan for defense upgrade and Patriot guided missile decisionJapan on Friday quickly approved a U.S. request for shipment of surface-to-air Patriot guided missiles produced in JapanMari Yamaguchi Friday 24 April 2026 08:20 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2469983To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/patriot-guided-missile-japan-america-b2964123.html","title":"US thanks Japan for defense upgrade and Patriot guided missile decision "}}CloseTo help Ukraine, Japan is selling Patriot missiles to USThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regSourceSection":"Americas","regSourceMethod":"NSCs"},"isClimate":false} U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel praised Japan's...