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Joint Force

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 manufacturin…

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

Prospects for “Asian NATO” under New Japanese PM ISHIBA: D…

On October 1, ISHIBA Shigeru became the new Prime Minister of Japan after being elected as the President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) the week before. During his leadership candidacy campaign in late September, he outlined, as a “personal opinion as a member of the Diet”, his vision for an “Asian NATO” to deter China in an article for the Hudson Institute, a thinktank that promotes U.…

10/11/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia

Japan Ministry of Defense Details Plans for “Multifunctiona…

On September 6, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) revealed fresh details regarding its proposal to build a “multifunctional defense complex” on the former site of Nippon Steel Corporation’s Setouchi Steel Works located in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. Nippon Steel ceased operating blast furnaces in 2021 and then shut down all other facilities on its Kure site located in western Japan last y…

09/13/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Japanese and Australian Foreign and Defense Ministers Agree …

On September 5, Japanese Minister of Defense KIHARA Minoru and Minister for Foreign Affairs KAMIKAWA Yoko agreed with their Australian counterparts Richard Marles and Penny Wong on the need for “further cooperation between counter strike capabilities that leverage Japan’s stand-off defense capability and Australia’s long-range strike capability”. This commitment to strengthen bilateral defens…

09/12/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Oceania Government

Ministry of Defense Intends to Boost Japan’s “Stand-off De…

In the latest budget proposal announced on August 30 by the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD), a fund of 970 billion yen (approx. 6.8 billion USD) is set to be allocated in fiscal 2025 for the development and mass production of ‘stand-off defense capabilities’ for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to be able “to disrupt and defeat invading forces over long distances”. JMOD is planning to pr…

09/11/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Ranking

AI Startup “Spakona” Wins ATLA Contract for UAV Teaming Technology

Japan to Promote Dual-Use Technologies for National Security

Subaru Delivers Experimental UAV to Japan’s ATLA for Manned-Unmanned Teaming Research

Japan Reveals New Details into Project for Collaborative UAVs Expected to Operate with Manned Fighter Jets

Tokyo Keiki Expands Defense-Related Operations with New Facility

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

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

Japan and the EU Hold First Defence Industry Dialogue, Pledge Dual-Use Collaboration

Fujitsu To Expand Defense Business in Europe as Japan Seeks Dual-Use Collaboration

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

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