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Cutting-Edge Science and Technology

ATLA Reveals Japanese Company Lineup for DSEI UK 2025

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…

08/27/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone Communications East Asia Europe Event

Viability of “Perovskite Solar Cells” to be Tested with Di…

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…

08/22/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Land Disaster Prevention Middle East Business

Skygate Technologies, “Defense Tech” Startup, Raises Appro…

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…

07/08/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Space Cyber Electronic Warfare East Asia Business

Japan Reveals New Guidelines for Incorporating AI into Defen…

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…

06/20/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

AI East Asia

ATLA’s Security Technology Research Fund Sees Record Number…

On May 30, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced a record 340 applications for its “National Security Technology Research Promotion Fund” (安全保障技術研究推進制度) in the fiscal 2025 round. This year’s edition is especially notable for the unprecedented number of university-affiliated applicants: 123, compared to just 44 in fiscal 2024 and a low of only 9 in both…

06/11/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Meets with Japanese Dual-U…

On April 9, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and his delegation visited Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), where they met with eight Japanese dual-use technology startups. These companies, active in fields such as drones, biotechnology, materials science, space, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI), showcased their products and solutions in an exhibition-st…

04/14/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government Europe

Two Japanese Tech Startups Win Innovation Awards in the Defe…

On March 24, two Japanese information technology startups, Sakana AI and Skygate Technologies, announced that they had won innovation awards in the defense sector. Sakana AI was recognized at a competition co-hosted by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) and the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU),[1] while Skygate Technologies received an award at an event held by EY ShinNih…

03/28/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

AI North America East Asia

IDEX 2025 Report (1): Poland's “Security and Dual-Use Goods…

John Jacobs, Ph.D.Analyst, NSBT JapanFrom February 17–22, “IDEX 2025”, the world's largest tri-service defense exhibition, was held in Abu Dhabi, with NSBT Japan in attendance. The event featured a diverse range of exhibitors from the defense industry showcasing their latest innovations. Concurrently, organizations from the non-military sector also participated, focusing on investment, trade,…

03/10/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Middle East

ATLA’s High-Power Microwave Device: Advancing R&D for Cost-…

Last month Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) released a new conceptual image of its prospective “high-power microwave (HPM) radiation device” capable of disabling unmanned aerial systems (UAS), currently in the research and development (R&D) stage. The image, released as part of ATLA’s latest R&D pamphlet published on 31 January, includes a caption from the agency’s F…

02/27/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia

Tokyo Keiki Expands Defense-Related Operations with New Faci…

On December 25, Tokyo Keiki Co., Ltd. announced the inauguration of its "Defense Management Facility" (防衛管理棟) at the company’s Nasu Plant in Nasu-shi, Tochigi Prefecture. The Japanese precision instrument manufacturer stated that the new building, built to meet increasing demand for defense-related equipment, will play a critical role in managing the development of its products as Japan’s d…

01/07/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Business

Security Sensor Developer “OPTEX” Wins Innovation Award fo…

On November 28, Japanese sensor developer OPTEX CO., LTD. received for its “security laser scan detector”, a sensor capable of detecting intruders with minimal false alarms, the ‘Shiga Prefecture Institute Invention and Innovation Chairman’s Award’ at this year’s Kinki Regional Invention Awards [1], held last week in Nara, Kansai. The award specifically recognized OPTEX’s cutting-edge LiDA…

12/02/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Business

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Wins “Glide Phase Interceptor”…

On November 1, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) announced it had signed a contract worth 56 billion yen (approx. 368 million USD) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) to support Japan’s share in the co-development of a ‘Glide Phase Interceptor’ (GPI) with the United States. The contract is expected to facilitate the design and manufacture of the specific GPI components that Japan ha…

11/08/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

North America East Asia

Japan’s “Dual-Use Startup Ecosystem”: What Will It Look L…

1. IntroductionOn September 18, it was reported in the Japanese press that the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have agreed to move forward with a joint plan to establish a Japanese “Dual-Use Startup Ecosystem” as a framework to encourage development of those technologies that have both civilian and military applications. The announcement w…

10/04/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia

Air Water Receives Order for “CMP Slurry Mixing and Supply …

On August 26, Japan’s Air Water Inc. announced that the group received an order for its “CMP Slurry Mixing and Supply System” for use in the semiconductor “Innovative Integration for Manufacturing (IIM-1)” plant currently under construction at Chitose City in Hokkaido by Rapidus Corporation, a domestic producer of advanced logic semiconductors. Slurry is the substance used in chemical mechan…

09/09/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Business

Ministry of Defense to Launch “Japanese DARPA” Enhancing D…

On August 2, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) announced plans to establish a new defense technology institute with around 100 personnel this October in Yebisu Garden Place, Shibuya, Tokyo. JMOD has indicated the potential for the new entity, tentatively called the ‘Defense Innovation Technology Institute’, to collaborate with the Japan Cabinet Secretariat’s deep tech ‘Global Startup Campus…

08/22/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Government Promotes Entry of Startup Companies into the Defe…

On January 12th, 2024, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry exchanged views with four venture capital (VC) firms that invest in startup companies at the Ministry of Defense building. They called for VCs investment to encourage startup companies with superior technologies, including those in new areas such as space and electromagnetic waves, to enter the defense i…

02/14/2024 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Satellite Drone Government

Ministry of Defense holds Opinion Exchange Meetings with Fou…

On October 31st, 2023, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held a meeting to exchange opinions with four emerging companies exploring entry into the defense industry. Following the first event in September, they invited companies in fields where the private sector is leading in technology, such as electromagnetic waves and unmanned aerial vehicles. They intend t…

11/13/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia Business Government Land Maritime Air Electronic Warfare

Japan Successfully Conducts World’s First “Railgun” Firin…

On October 17th, 2023, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Ministry of Defense announced that, with the cooperation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, it had successfully conducted the world’s first shipboard firing test of a “railgun.” If this technology is put into practical use, it will be capable of launching projectiles at extremely high speeds, surpassing convent…

11/02/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia Government Ship Maritime

The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency Aims to Utili…

The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) held their first meeting with startup company representatives at the agency on September 6th, 2023, in order to explore the utilization of cutting-edge technology in the security field. A total of 4 companies participated in the meeting, where they explained their businesses offerings and …

09/25/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

The Government Designates 9 Research and Development Fields …

On August 25th, 2023, the government held the first meeting of the Council of Ministers concerned with strengthening comprehensive defense capabilities at the Prime Minister's Office. 9 fields of research and development that contribute to national defense were designated, and the policy of cross-ministerial efforts was confirmed. To ensure the smooth operation of the Self-Defense Forces and the J…

09/20/2023 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Ranking

ATLA’s R&D into a “Mobile Communications Infrastructure System”: Assessing Strategic and Technical Objectives

ATLA’s High-Power Microwave Device: Advancing R&D for Cost-Effective Counter-Drone Systems

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Wins “Glide Phase Interceptor” Contract: Opportunities for Japan’s Defense Industrial Base

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

Japanese Drone Startup Tested for Coast Guard Operations

Two JGSDF Instructors to be Dispatched to Lithuania for Ukraine Demining Coalition: Examining Japan’s Role in Mine Action and Demining Technologies

Turing Inc. Wins ATLA Verification Contract for Autonomous Driving System

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

Japanese SMEs Integrate “Starlink” into Innovative Disaster Management Solutions

AUSA 2024 Company Report (4): Advanced Tactical Gear Manufacturer “TYR Tactical”

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