(Tokyo Comprehensive News) Japan is striving to become an international military power. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Restoration Party plan to relax defense export restrictions, build weapons factories, and accelerate domestic defense investment.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi convened a meeting of senior officials last Friday (October 24) to discuss follow-up plans for the five-year defense spending plan through 2027 and to update the national security and defense strategies.
Japan's current priority is to help its defense industry grow amidst rapidly rising global military spending. This enthusiasm for developing the defense industry represents a significant shift from a few years ago, when domestic taboos against expanding the defense industry, coupled with high barriers to defense exports after World War II, left Japan with few favorable conditions for developing its own defense industry.
Japanese defense industry insiders report that in the past, when they competed with their European counterparts for overseas contracts, their counterparts enjoyed the support of military and government officials, while Japan lacked such advantages.
Currently, Japan's five largest defense companies account for less than 2% of global arms shipments. However, these companies are now actively participating in overseas projects, and the Japanese government also provides support. For example, in August this year, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was selected for a US$6.8 billion (approximately S$8.8 billion) contract to build 11 warships for Australia. Prior to this, then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the Defense Minister also assisted in lobbying.
Further Reading
If the contract between Japan and Australia is signed early next year as expected, it will be Japan's second major defense export contract since World War II. It is reported that the Royal New Zealand Navy has also expressed interest in the same type of warship and may sign an agreement with Japan.
To develop a sustainable growth plan for military exports, Japan is looking to emulate countries like South Korea. South Korea has a relatively developed defense industry and has signed multi-billion dollar contracts to supply equipment such as howitzers, rocket systems, and ammunition to countries like Poland. Former Japanese Ministry of Defense official Hirohito Ogi believes that Japan can learn from other countries and develop high-end areas of the technology chain, such as missile systems and space technology.
Japan is also exploring ways to increase its production capacity for missiles and other weapons, which is generally believed to help increase its arsenal and potentially assist the United States, which has previously warned of ammunition shortages.
Clarke, a former military counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Japan and current head of the Tokyo-based defense consulting firm Pacforce, is optimistic about the prospects for Japan's defense industry. He said, "Japan is preparing to become a global defense player."
