Key facts
- Japan will restructure defense research to speed up threat detection and decision-making.
- AI and cyber capabilities are key to strengthening Japan's defense.
- An integrated AI platform is planned for command and control.
- Japan is developing unmanned attack drones and hypersonic missiles.
- The SHIELD initiative will integrate unmanned systems and AI for coastal defense.
Japan's Defense Ministry is set to fundamentally restructure its defense research to enhance threat detection and decision-making speed, according to Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The country plans to integrate artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities into its defense strategy, as highlighted in its 2026 defense white paper. This includes developing AI platforms for command and control, strengthening the cyber workforce, and advancing research and development. Japan is also exploring the use of foreign and domestic AI technologies, and plans to build a "Defense Ministry cloud" for secure data transmission. The nation is adapting its defense doctrines based on recent conflicts, focusing on drones, AI, and new warfare methods. The SHIELD initiative aims to modernize coastal defense by integrating unmanned systems and AI, addressing demographic constraints by leveraging technology to maintain deterrence capabilities.