Japan must adapt to modern warfare technologies—such as drones and artificial intelligence—and bolster its domestic defense industry in response to tactics seen in Ukraine and the Middle East, the government stated in its annual defense paper adopted by the Cabinet on Tuesday.
The 598-page document reasserted that China remains Japan’s primary strategic challenge. Tokyo remains on high alert over Beijing’s expanding naval presence in the Pacific Ocean, its rapid nuclear and missile modernization, and its growing military cooperation with Russia.
Highlighting recent incidents, the report noted that Chinese aircraft locked their targeting radars on Japanese planes during carrier drills near southwestern Japan last December.
Additionally, two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted near the southern island of Iwo Jima last June, further heightening concerns over Beijing’s military reach.
To counter these threats and address a shrinking population that limits military recruitment, Japan is prioritizing the rapid development of uncrewed coastal defense weapons combined with long-range cruise missiles.
“Speed is key,” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in early July.
Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency recently shortlisted four drone manufacturers from 38 applicants for an accelerated development program, with naval testing set to begin in early August. Major domestic firms are also jumping into the sector; Toshiba recently announced plans to co-develop combat drones with startup Pro Drone.
However, experts warn that building fully home-grown combat drones will be challenging given China’s current dominance in the commercial drone market.
Beyond China, the defense paper identified North Korea’s advancing missile capabilities—including hypersonic weapons—and its expanding military ties with Russia as an “increasingly serious and pressing threat.”
Beijing and Moscow’s joint bomber flights and naval exercises around Japanese territory were similarly highlighted as grave national security concerns.