Last month, the Japanese government published its new Growth Strategy, aimed at promoting public- and private-sector investment across 17 strategic sectors, including the defense industry.Released on July 21, the growth strategy for defense focuses on strengthening the domestic production base for dual-use technologies, identified in the plan as aerospace-related technologies, biohealth, AI, semic…
On June 30, Araya Inc., a Tokyo-based developer of AI algorithms and neurotechnology, announced that it had secured a contract with Japan’s Defense Innovation Science and Technology Institute (DISTI) to conduct a feasibility study into various support technologies that integrate brain information and AI for defense and security applications. In a press release,[1] Araya explains that it was award…
On June 26, Vantiq, a U.S.-based AI automation developer, announced that it would hold a seminar on physical AI, accompanied by a live demonstration of a swarm control platform for unmanned systems, in an event held on July 13 in partnership with the Mitsubishi Estate Company at the Global Business Hub Tokyo.In a press release,[1] Vantiq explained that the event was aimed at introducing to Japanes…
Last month, Terra Drone Corporation announced that it has conducted a field demonstration test of its lightweight handheld 3D laser scanner, “Terra SLAM RTK”, involving the ground-based use of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology to 3D map an environment where aerial drones cannot easily operate.In a press release,[1] the Tokyo-based drone developer said the demonstration invo…
On April 9, Japanese neurotechnology and AI startup FastNeura Inc. announced a strategic partnership with defense startup JISDA (Japan Integrated Security Design Agency) to establish a medical and biotechnology consortium “RESCUE,” which will pursue biosensing and cognitive technologies to support operators in high-stress environments.In a press release,[1] FastNeura, founded by a neurotech and …
Last month, Japanese ICT giant Fujitsu Limited announced the launch of its Accelerator Program for Defense Tech, which will implement a research project to establish an agentic AI-powered system designed to support accelerated decision-making by Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) commanders.In a press release,[1] Fujitsu said the Accelerator will pursue collaboration with Japanese startups and other …
On March 27, the Japanese government adopted a new Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan (STI Basic Plan), which calls for the promotion of dual-use technologies that can be used for both military and civilian applications.The STI Basic Plan[1], formulated by Japan’s Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), provides a comprehensive, five-year strategic policy framework to gu…
On March 6, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska met with Japanese startups developing advanced dual-use technologies for both civilian and defense applications. The event, organized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), was part of Shekerinska’s March 5–6 visit to Japan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).[1]During the METI startup sess…
On March 5, JISDA (Japan Integrated Security Design Agency), a defense and security technology startup founded last November, announced the launch of RISE (Resilient Initiative for Unmanned Systems Engineering), a consortium to advance Japan’s development of drones, robotics and AI systems for defense and security applications.In a press release,[1] JISDA said it envisions RISE as an industry–go…
On February 20, SolaNika Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based startup developing laser-based wireless power technology, announced that it has received a research and development grant from the Mitsubishi UFJ Technology Development Foundation (MU-Tech) to advance a laser tracking system with automated imaging and predictive tracking capabilities that can charge drones while in flight.In a press release,[1] Sol…
At the Singapore Airshow held from February 3 to February 8, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) hosted a booth featuring an array of technologies from Japanese primes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.ATLA’s latest showcase of Japanese-made systems at international exhibitions coincided with Japan’s general election campaign that resulted in a landsl…
02/19/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department
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Last month, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced the results of the “4th Air Combat AI Challenge.” In this open competition, participating teams comprised of companies, researchers, and engineers were tasked with simultaneously controlling multiple aircraft in an air combat simulator, where they competed as opposing teams in real-time aerial battles.[1]Hosted by A…
On December 12, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that it will establish a new open innovation center for the research and development (R&D) of advanced semiconductors in the City of Chitose in Hokkaido, northern Japan.To be established in March 2030, the R&D center aims to strengthen Japan’s competitiveness in cutting-edge chip technology and focus on prototyping …
On December 3, U.S. autonomous systems developer Anduril Industries, Inc. announced its full-scale expansion into Japan in order to contribute the company’s autonomous dual-use drone and sensor technologies to Japan’s efforts to develop air, maritime and multi-domain capabilities. In its press release,[1] Anduril announced the establishment of a Japan-based office to strengthen partnerships with…
On November 28, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened government discussions on a new “Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan”, a five-year strategy beginning in fiscal 2026 that is expected to make national security a central pillar. At the 80th meeting of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Prime Minister outlined three priorities for the new basic plan: a…
Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) is due to hold a Defense Industry Promotional Exhibition (DIPEX) in Tokyo from December 1 to 2 in order to publicize promising technologies developed by Japan’s startups, to promote the use of their cutting-edge civilian technologies in the defense industry, and to facilitate matchmaking opportunities with Japan’s Ministry of Defense an…
On August 8, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced the lineup of Japanese prime contractors and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that will be exhibiting at the agency’s pavilion at DSEI UK 2025, one of the largest defense expos in Europe that is scheduled to take place in London next month, from September 9 to 12.In a press release,[1] ATLA explained that a…
On July 29, Baysun Co., Ltd. announced a partnership with Peccell Technologies, Inc. and Achilles Corporation to conduct a disaster relief technology demonstration that combines Baysun’s portable power generation and energy storage system with Achilles’ disaster relief-focused air tents and Peccell’s next-generation "perovskite solar cells" at the Kanagawa Prefecture General Disaster Prevention…
On June 27, Skygate Technologies, a Tokyo-based defense and cybersecurity startup, announced that it had secured approximately 1 billion yen (around 6.9 million USD) in funding from six major Japanese investment groups. The third-party allotment of new shares was led by prominent venture capitalist (VC) firms, key financial institutions, and an innovation investment fund of a major Japanese privat…
On June 6, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) published the country’s first set of guidelines on its website for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the research and development (R&D) of defense equipment. The guidelines aim to ensure appropriate human involvement in the R&D of AI-integrated systems by establishing risk management processes that also pro…
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