News | Joint Force - NSBT Japan

Joint Force

Japan's Changing "Defense Industry"

A little more than a year has passed since the government made a major shift in its postwar security policy at the end of 2022. It has increased defense spending to 43 trillion yen (about $300 billion) over five years, or 1.6 times the previous amount, and is now moving forward with a drastic strengthening of defense capabilities. The defense industry, which is responsible for the production of eq…

03/01/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia

Former Government Officials Compile Proposals for Expanding …

On January 23rd, a group of volunteer former government officials, including the former Secretary General of National Security Secretariat and Vice-minister of Defense, released a proposal for expanding exports of defense equipment. They called for introducing a system under which the Ministry of Defense would procure equipment from Japanese companies and temporarily loan it free of charge to othe…

02/20/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Japanese Companies Strengthening their Defense Businesses, D…

The trend of domestic companies strengthening their defense businesses is increasing. Although the companies have been withdrawing from the defense business for the past several years, the government policy to increase defense spending to a total of approximately 43 trillion yen ($292 billion) over the five years starting in FY2023 has driven them. The companies are hiring several hundred human re…

02/01/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia

Lifting the Ban on Exports of "License-Produced" Defense Equ…

On December 22nd, 2023, the government revised the Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer and its Operational Guidelines to expand exports of defense equipment. The export ban will be completely lifted for countries that hold patents on Japanese-licensed products that use patents from other countries. As the first step, the government officially decided to provide the U.S. with the Patrio…

01/30/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Japan, U.S., and South Korea Begin Immediate Sharing of Nort…

The defense ministers of Japan, the United States, and South Korea issued a joint press statement on December 19th last year, announcing that the three countries' immediate sharing system for North Korean missile-related information began operating on the same day. While the U.S. and Japan, as well as the U.S. and South Korea, were sharing information, there was no system for immediate sharing amo…

01/22/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

North America East Asia Government

Japan and Norway Agree to Upgrade Bilateral Ties to “Strate…

On December 7th, 2023, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo. The two leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” and deepen cooperation. They issued their first joint statement, covering cooperation in various fields. In the statement, they explicitly stated that “an…

01/11/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

The Ground Self-Defense Force Deployed “Concrete Mixer Truc…

The “Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army,” responsible for defense in the Kyushu region and Okinawa Prefecture, has introduced a new type of concrete mixer truck that will be used to restore runways at bases in the event of attacks. This marks the first deployment of such trucks to the Ground Self-Defense Force in Japan. By enhancing the capability to quickly restore runway functionality, it …

12/15/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Vehicle East Asia Government

Japan to Provide Defense Equipment to Vietnam

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Vietnamese President Bo Van Thuong at the Prime Minister's Office on November 27th, 2023. This year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership”. They confirmed that they will continue to deepen discussions on t…

12/13/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Southeast Asia Government

Deterrence of “Taiwan Contingency” is Japan’s Interest

The editorial in the October 14th edition of the “Taipei Times,” a Taiwanese English-language newspaper, argues that deterring Chinese attacks on Taiwan is in the interest of Taiwan’s neighboring countries, not only the U.S. and Japan but also the Philippines and South Korea. It urges them to unite in supporting Taiwan’s defense. According to a report by the U.S. think tank RAND Corporation…

12/01/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

North America East Asia Government Middle East China Europe

Ministry of Defense Proposes 813 Billion Yen on Supplementar…

On November 8th, 2023, it was revealed that the Ministry of Defense has decided to allocate 813 billion yen（$5.4 billion） for costs of equipment acquisition and facility maintenance in the fiscal year 2023 supplementary budget proposal. It includes 152.3 billion yen ($1.02 billion) for early acquisition of ammunition, including domestically produced long-range missiles that are expected to oper…

11/24/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

North America East Asia Government

Japan and Britain Deepen Cooperation in Development of Advan…

On November 7th, 2023, the Japanese and British governments held the Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (2＋2) at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo. The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in the development of advanced defense equipment, including the next-generation fighter jet to be developed jointly by Japan, Britain, and Italy. Additionally, they agreed to work together on the planned…

11/17/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Cyber East Asia Government Maritime Air Europe

Japan and Philippines to Negotiate New Security Agreement

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Philippines from November 3rd,2023 to initiate negotiations for a “Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA),” aimed at facilitating reciprocal visits between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In addition, Japan plans to apply an “Official Security Assistance（OSA)” program, which was established to provide defense equipment …

11/16/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Southeast Asia Oceania Government Europe

Japanese and Australian Defense Ministers Enhance Cooperatio…

On October 19th, 2023, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles at the ministry in Tokyo for the first time since taking office. Ministers agreed to further develop joint exercises to enhance the effectiveness of Japan-Australian defense cooperation, with China’s growing maritime expansion in mind. They also affirmed the impo…

11/09/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

North America East Asia Oceania Government China

Ministry of Defense Holds Japan-U.S. Defense Industry Exhibi…

On October 19th, 2023, the Ministry of Defense held “Industry Day” in Tokyo, a business meeting between the U.S. military in Japan and 30 companies in the defense industry, mainly Japanese companies. The Japanese side promoted aircraft and ship repair services and space-related parts used in satellites. It creates opportunities to expand sales channels and promotes the strengthening of the domes…

11/08/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

North America East Asia Government

Defense Minister Kihara Aims to “Strengthen National Power…

On October 18th, 2023, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara emphasized in an interview with a Japanese newspaper at the ministry that they will encourage startup companies to enter the defense industry to advance technological development “with dual military and civilian applications.” He also stated that they aim to “strengthen national power” by simultaneously enhancing deterrence and the country…

11/03/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Vehicle East Asia Government Aircraft

Ministry of Defense Raises Assumed Equipment Profit Margin t…

In order to support the domestic defense industry, the Ministry of Defense has raised the assumed operating profit margin for companies when ordering defense equipment to a maximum of 15%. The system will be designed to evaluate performance in terms of quality and shortened delivery times, and reflect this in the profit margin. Previously, profit margins averaged only about 8%, and a number of com…

10/27/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Cyber East Asia Government

Ministry of Defense Establishes Basic Guidelines for Strengt…

On October 12th, 2023, the Ministry of Defense established its basic guidelines for implementing measures based on the “Law to Strengthen Production Bases for Defense Equipment” to support the domestic defense industry. The guidelines explicitly emphasize the “pursuit of domestically produced equipment” and specify that domestic production of ammunition and vessels is particularly crucial from…

10/26/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government Ship

Japan and Germany to Start Negotiations for Conclusion of Ac…

On September 29th, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Japanese and German governments will formally begin negotiations for the conclusion of the “Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).” This agreement establishes a legal framework that enables the Self-Defense Forces and the German military to exchange fuel and other supplies. The objective is to enhance defense …

10/18/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Ministry of Defense to Establish “Joint Headquarters”

The Ministry of Defense plans to establish a permanent “Joint Headquarters” that will centrally oversee the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces (SDF). This aims to prepare for any possible emergencies that require the deployment of large-scale forces with the Taiwan contingency in mind, and to facilitate coordination with the U.S. military. The Ministry is accelerating preparations tow…

10/13/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Cyber North America East Asia Government Land Maritime Space Air

Ministry of Defense Stationing Official in Taiwan to Strengt…

It was revealed that the Ministry of Defense has stationed a serving official at the Taipei office of the “Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association,” which serves as a liaison with Taiwan. Japan and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, and until now, a retired Self-Defense Force officer has been stationed there. Amid growing concerns about a “Taiwan contingency,” the Japanese government ai…

09/29/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government China

Ranking

Terra Labo Completes 50 Hours of Test Flights with “Terra Dolphin VTOL”, Designed for Disaster Response and Offshore Surveillance

[Press Release] NSBT Japan Announces Change in Operating Structure and Updates to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Signed MOU between SBIJ and MOU for defence technology collaboration at NSBT Conference

Japan and Turkey Hold First “Defence Industry Cooperation Day”, Eye Joint Drone Development

NSBT Japan starts activities as a 'SBIJ'

SkyLink Japan Begins Handling FINDi FF2, a Japanese-Made Industrial Underwater Drone

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

SBIJ and Thailand’s DTI Strengthen Defense Technology Partnership with MOA Signed at Defense & Security 2025

– Event Report– NSBT Strategy Forum 2026 in Tokyo

[PR]【Video】Motor-G’s Ukrainian-Made Motors Propel Drones to Speeds of Up to 400 km/h

Tag

Land Maritime Air Space Cyber Law Enforcement Firefighting Vehicle Ship Aircraft Small Arms Personal Equipment Satellite Drone United Nations Electronic Warfare Submarine ISR Artillery and Rockets Missile Communications CBRNE AI Night Vision Device Disaster Prevention Oceania North America Central and South America East Asia China Russia Southeast Asia Arctic Europe Middle East Africa Rest of Asia Government Business Consulting Event Innovation Producer Market Think Tank