Key facts
- Japan's Defense Ministry requested 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion) for the upcoming fiscal year's defense budget.
- The plan includes acquiring attack drones, long-range cruise missiles, and interceptors.
- Japan aims to develop and mass-produce low-cost uncrewed weapons.
- An integrated AI platform is planned for command and control, with potential use of foreign and domestic technologies.
- The budget also seeks to ensure stable defense equipment production and support industry R&D.
Japan is planning a significant enhancement of its defense capabilities, including the integration of drones, artificial intelligence, and advanced missiles, as outlined in its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Defense Ministry has put forth a preliminary request of 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion), a slight increase from the previous year, with further details expected after the government approves a new security and defense strategy.
This strategic shift is driven by the need to adapt to evolving warfare methods, exemplified by Ukraine's use of drones, and to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. The ministry aims to drastically strengthen Japan's deterrence and response capabilities by transforming its defense structure. A key focus is the domestic development and mass-production of low-cost uncrewed weapons to enhance cost-efficiency, reduce casualties, and bolster the air defense network. Japan is also seeking funding to acquire unmanned attack drones for deployment from underwater or aerial platforms, with a target fiscal year of 2027.
Artificial intelligence is slated to play a crucial role, with plans to introduce an integrated AI platform for command and control systems to improve the speed and accuracy of battlefield assessments and target selection. Japan is exploring the use of existing foreign AI technologies, particularly from the U.S., alongside domestic development and integration efforts. The ministry intends to create an 'AI orchestrator' to manage multiple AI systems autonomously and establish a 'Defense Ministry cloud' for secure data transmission and communication networks.
To ensure a stable supply of defense equipment and bolster the domestic defense industry, the budget request includes provisions for a state-owned, contractor-operated system. This system would involve government acquisition of factories and outsourcing manufacturing to private firms, aiming to mitigate risks associated with supplier withdrawals. Additionally, funding will support defense-related research and development and restructuring efforts for companies within the sector. Despite increased military buildup and expanded arms exports, the Japanese defense industry faces challenges due to historical constitutional limits on the use of force and past withdrawals by companies seeking better profit margins and business outlooks.