The Japanese government officially announced on Tuesday that the nation must adapt to modern methods of warfare, specifically highlighting the use of drones and artificial intelligence as seen in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. In a 598-page defense white paper adopted by the Cabinet, officials emphasized that strengthening the domestic defense industry is essential to maintaining national security.
This annual report, which outlines military priorities and analyzes global trends, features accessible elements such as a cartoon on the cover and links to multilingual video clips in Japanese, English, and Chinese to help Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government secure public support for increased military spending and recruitment efforts.
The paper identifies China as Japan’s biggest strategic challenge, citing alarm over the growing presence and frequency of Chinese warships in the Pacific Ocean. The Defense Ministry has established a dedicated unit to study Japan’s Pacific strategy and bolster defenses against China.
The report notes that China has rapidly increased its military spending without transparency, while also expanding its nuclear and missile capabilities.
Specific incidents of concern include Chinese aircraft locking their radars on Japanese planes during drills near southwestern Japan last December, and the sighting of two Chinese aircraft carriers near the southern Japanese island of Iwo Jima for the first time last June. These events have fueled Tokyo's anxiety regarding Beijing’s military activity in disputed areas of the East China Sea and beyond its borders.
Inspired by the effectiveness of drones in Ukraine, Japan is prioritizing the development of its own combat drones for coastal defense, which will be used in combination with long-range cruise missiles. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated in early July that "speed is key" to this transition.
The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency has already selected four drone makers from 38 applicants for a rapid development program.
These drones are scheduled for testing by the Japanese navy in early August before a final selection is made. Additionally, private sector involvement is growing, with Toshiba announcing plans last Friday to jointly develop combat drones with the startup Pro Drone. Officials believe that uncrewed weapons will help compensate for Japan's decreasing number of service members in a country facing a shrinking population.
Beyond the focus on drones, the white paper addresses broader regional threats. It labels North Korea’s rapid development of missiles, including hypersonic arsenals, as an "increasingly serious and pressing threat," while also expressing grave concern over North Korea's military ties with Russia and its support for Moscow's war in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the report describes the growing joint military operations between China and Russia around Japan, such as joint bomber flights and naval maneuvers, as a "grave national security concern."
To address these challenges, Japan has been strengthening its military forces on southwestern islands and deploying long-range cruise missiles, driven by concerns over a potential conflict in Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. Strengthening arms production and technology is a central pillar of this strategy, with the government expanding funding for scientific research and startups.
While many established Japanese companies have historically avoided ties to lethal weapons due to the country's post-World War II pacifist pledge, officials note that a growing number of startups are interested in converting dual-use technology for military applications.
The recent decision to scrap the lethal weapons export ban is expected to further bolster the defense industry. Minister Koizumi emphasized that weapons technology transfers and joint development projects are vital for strengthening both Japan's defense industrial base and its ties with international security partners.
