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Cutting-Edge Science and Technology

New “RESCUE” Consortium Targets Cognitive Support Technolo…

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 …

05/01/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

AI East Asia Business

Fujitsu Establishes Defense Tech Accelerator, Launches Agent…

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 …

04/21/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

AI East Asia Business

Japan to Promote Dual-Use Technologies for National Security

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…

04/15/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

NATO Engages Japanese Startups as Tokyo Seeks DIANA Innovati…

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…

03/30/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Space AI East Asia Europe

New “RISE” Consortium Targets Defense Drone Development in…

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…

03/26/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Air Drone AI East Asia Business

Japanese Startup “SolaNika” Receives R&D Grant for Laser W…

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…

03/11/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone AI East Asia Business

ATLA Showcases Japanese Technologies at Singapore Airshow 20…

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

Space Drone ISR AI East Asia Southeast Asia Government

Tokyo-Based AI Firm “Spakona” Wins ATLA-hosted Air Combat …

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…

02/12/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Air AI East Asia Government Business

Japanese Government to Build Hokkaido Semiconductor R&D Cent…

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 …

12/29/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

AI East Asia Government

Anduril Expands into Japan: Assessing Priorities and Local R…

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…

12/18/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone AI North America East Asia

National Security to Take a Central Role in Japan’s Science…

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…

12/10/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government

Japanese High-Precision Manufacturing and Materials Startups…

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…

11/27/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Event

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

Ranking

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

Japan Eyes Defense Exports to Philippines, Indonesia After Easing Transfer Rules

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

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

Anduril Expands into Japan: Assessing Priorities and Local Reaction

New “RESCUE” Consortium Targets Cognitive Support Technologies

Civil Servant Rules for JSDF Reservists to Be Relaxed to Address Staffing Gap

NSBT Japan starts activities as a 'SBIJ'

Japan Coast Guard Provides Capacity-Building Support to The Philippines

[Speaking Engagement] Presentation at the London Defence Conference (LDC)

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