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JMOD FY2027 Budget Request Reveals New Ground, Sea and Air S…

On August 31, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (JMOD) published its budget request for fiscal 2027, totalling nearly 8.9 trillion yen (approximately USD 57 billion) and featuring a large number of additional unpriced “item requests” for which no cost figures are attached. The record-breaking figure could therefore increase further to total around 10 trillion yen (USD 64 billion) in a finalized b…

09/11/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Land Maritime Air East Asia Government

Joint Force

ATLA Calls for Private Companies to Establish Premises on Ku…

On September 1, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) released an invitation for private companies to establish defense industrial facilities within a multifunctional defense base that the Ministry of Defense (JMOD) is to build on a former Nippon Steel Corporation steel works site situated in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture.In a public call,[1] ATLA explained that it is to open up…

10/02/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

JMOD FY2027 Budget Request Reveals New Ground, Sea and Air S…

09/11/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Land Maritime Air East Asia Government

LDP Proposes Mass Deployment of Drones and AI-Enabled Decisi…

On June 24, a security panel of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urging the government to adapt to “new forms of warfare” observed in Ukraine by transforming the country’s defense capabilities, including the mass deployment of unmanned platforms and accelerated AI-enabled decision-making systems. The proposal, compiled by the L…

07/07/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone AI East Asia Government

Japan Eyes Defense Equipment Transfers to the Philippines, W…

Earlier this month, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi traveled to the Philippines to meet with his counterpart in Manila, where he discussed defense equipment and technology cooperation following Tokyo’s recent relaxation of export rules on the transfer of lethal weapon systems.At the meeting held on May 5, the two sides agreed to establish a working group with a view to transferring J…

05/25/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Ship Aircraft Missile East Asia Southeast Asia Government

Civil Servant Rules for JSDF Reservists to Be Relaxed to Add…

On April 3, the Japanese government submitted to the Diet a new bill to make it easier for civil servants who act as reservists in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to engage in training exercises and support activities in times of crisis or disaster situations.In a press conference,[1] Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi explained that the proposed law is designed to make it easier for central a…

04/17/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Disaster Prevention East Asia Government

New JMOD Initiatives Emerge as Part of its Defense Prioritie…

In recent weeks, reports have emerged of several initiatives that Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD) is advocating for inclusion in the government’s forthcoming full-scale strategic review, set to begin this spring.These initiatives include: 1) renewed measures to address manpower shortages in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), 2) expanded state involvement in defense equipment manufacturing,…

04/10/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Koizumi’s Defense Transformation Priorities: Assessing Cont…

On March 19, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held the latest round of talks by the ministry’s Promotion HQ for Transformation of Defense Capabilities and laid out key technological requirements and initiatives to strengthen collaboration with like-minded countries.In his opening speech to the sixth round of Promotion HQ,[1] Koizumi highlighted five key technological directions that Jap…

04/06/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Space Cyber Drone Electronic Warfare Communications East Asia Government

JMOD Awards “Real-Time Digital Twin” Contract to NTT DATA …

On March 13, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD) announced a contract with ICT giant NTT DATA Japan Corporation to develop a real-time digital twin system capable of visualizing operational, training and disaster relief scenarios in 3D virtual spaces.In a press release,[1] JMOD explains that the project will involve the research and prototyping of a digital twin environment for the Japan Self-Defe…

04/03/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government Business

Japan’s AI DATA Announces “AI Defense” and “AI SpaceDefe…

On February 24, 2026, AI DATA, Inc., a Japanese data-management and AI solutions firm, announced the launch of “AI Defense on IDX,” an AI data platform aimed at supporting Japan’s defense and national security sectors.In a press release,[1] AI DATA explained that the platform uses generative AI to integrate and structure the vast volumes of information typically handled within defense-related o…

03/06/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Space AI East Asia Business

Japan’s Ministry of Defense Announces FY 2025 Supplementary…

Last month, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (JMOD) announced details of equipment and infrastructure that urgently require funding under a supplementary defense budget for the final part of fiscal year 2025, totaling 847.2 billion yen (approximately USD 5.4 billion).The supplementary budget[1] concentrates on two urgent objectives: (1) Reinforcing the disaster-response capacity of the Japan Self-…

01/09/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia Government

After Koizumi’s Yonaguni Visit: JSDF Capabilities, Shelter …

On November 23, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) base on Yonaguni Island, reaffirming that plans to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles on the island remain on schedule.Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD) is reportedly planning to deploy on Japan’s southwesternmost inhabited island, located just 110 km east of Taiwan, an upgraded…

12/04/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Missile East Asia Government

Japan to Deploy Upgraded Type-12 Missiles to Kumamoto: Techn…

On August 29, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) announced plans to accelerate deployment of the domestically produced, upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missile (12SSM) - a key component of the country’s counterstrike capabilities - across the Japan Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces.In a press release,[1] JMOD stated that the surface-launched variant of the upgraded Type-12, with an…

09/10/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Land Maritime Air Missile East Asia Government

Japan Seeks Drones for “SHIELD” Coastal Defense: Opportuni…

On August 29, the Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD) revealed plans to deploy large numbers of cost-effective unmanned vehicles operating in the air, at sea, and underwater by fiscal 2027 under a drone-based defense system called “SHIELD,” aimed at strengthening coastal security and deterring potential amphibious invasions. The SHIELD (= Synchronized, Hybrid, Integrated and Enhanced Littoral De…

09/04/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia Europe Government

Japanese Cabinet Unveils Legal Framework to Streamline JSDF …

On March 14, the Cabinet of Japan decided to pursue the establishment of a new legal framework to standardize provisions for Reciprocal Access Agreements (RAAs) signed with partner nations, facilitating cooperation between the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and partner armed forces. The proposed “Implementation Act on RAAs”, announced at a press conference by Japan’s Minister of Defense, Gen …

04/02/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

AUSA 2024 Company Report (6): Unique Mat Systems Produced by…

About DESCHAMPSDESCHAMPS is a European company established in 1860 that develops and manufactures high-value-added materials and surface movement equipment. It currently has offices in New Jersey (U.S.) and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France) and operates all around the world. NSBT Japan interviewed DESCHAMPS about the features of their products at the company’s exhibition booth at AUSA 2024 in Washingt…

12/20/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Business Europe

AUSA 2024 Report (5): "Fibrotex" Full Spectrum Camouflage Sy…

On October 16, the NSBT Japan Media Team were given the opportunity to learn about the military-grade full spectrum camouflage systems on display at the booth of Fibrotex USA Inc. from the company’s Army Business Development Manager, Mario D. Cockrell at this year’s Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting, ‘AUSA 2024’, Washington, D.C. Fibrotex Inc., an Israel-based company with a U.S.…

11/29/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Personal Equipment North America Business Middle East

“Unmanned Assets” to Reinforce the JSDF’s Human Resource …

On November 5 and 8, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) hosted two separate expert panels that focused on the imperative for Tokyo to develop “unmanned assets” to not only drastically reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities but also to radically strengthen the human resource base of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). November 5’s meeting, which addressed the JSDF’s human resources, inclu…

11/25/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia

AUSA 2024 Company Report (3): Leader in the High-tech Camera…

About Raptor Photonics Limited NSBT Japan participated in the annual meeting and exhibition of the Association of the United States Army, “AUSA 2024”, held in Washington D.C., the USA from October 14 to 16. Among the many company booths we interviewed, this report highlights Raptor Photonics Limited from the U.K. Raptor Photonics Limited is a high-performance camera manufacturer founded in Nor…

11/21/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Business Europe

AUSA 2024 Company Report (2): “HGH” Making Great Strides w…

About HGH NSBT Japan participated in this year’s Association of the United States Army's Annual Meeting and Exhibition (AUSA 2024) held in Washington, D.C. from October 14 to 16. Among the many company booths we covered, this time we would like to focus on the French company HGH Infrared Systems. HGH Infrared Systems was established in 1982 and specializes in advanced infrared (IR) and electro-…

11/19/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Business Europe

Japan and U.S. Forces Conduct “Keen Sword 25” Evacuation a…

From October 23 to November 1, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) conducted with the U.S. military the latest biennial ‘Keen Sword’ joint field training exercise “designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of JSDF and U.S. forces”. This year’s exercise, the 17th since Keen Sword’s inception in 1986, also featured training with “Australian and Canadian partners throughout …

11/06/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia

Ranking

[Now Open for Registration] NSBT Strategy Forum 2026 in Tokyo

Czech–Japan DefenseTech Forum to Connect Japanese Industry with Czech Defence Innovators

Prodrone To “Promote Stable Supply of Domestic Drones” as Japan Aims to Mass Produce UAVs

MadeHere Inc. Enters Public-Private Partnership with U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Depot Maintenance Command to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Sustainment

Japan Ministry of Defense Details Plans for “Multifunctional Defense Complex” on Former Kure Steel Works Site

U.S. Navy Weighs Foreign Frigate Designs: Assessing Japanese and South Korean Options

Japan Exploring Export of Used Abukuma-Class Destroyers to Philippine Navy

NSBT Japan starts activities as a 'SBIJ'

ATLA Calls for Private Companies to Establish Premises on Kure Integrated Defense Base

JMOD FY2027 Budget Request Reveals New Ground, Sea and Air Systems

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