Japan Plans to Transform Military Capabilities with Drones, Boost Domestic Defense Industry

Japan Ministry of Defense graphic Japan intends to transform its military capabilities with drones and will build up its domestic defense industry, according to the 2026 Defense of Japan white paper released on Tuesday.

The Japanese government is prioritizing domestic defense production to mitigate the cost of defense equipment and avoid being overly dependent on foreign manufactures, according to the defense white paper. While Japanese defense industries produce high-end items such as ships, aircraft and missiles, Japan relies on foreign manufacturers for other aircraft, missiles and weapon and radar systems for its ships.

“Japan’s defense industry is facing various challenges, with some cases of companies deciding to withdraw from defense businesses or downsize their operations emerging from time to time. Consequently, this not only undermines the stable procurement of defense equipment essential for JSDF operations, but also causes the loss of a proper competitive environment and innovation in the long term, potentially leading to a loss of Japan’s technological superiority in security,” reads the document.

Both the Ministry of Defense and Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) are currently carrying out efforts to increase domestic defense industry research and development and production capability, reads the DOJ2026.

The document also emphasized that the development of Japan’s defense industry would provide trickle down effects to the Japanese population with technological advancements being applicable to the civilian sector.

This year, the white paper was more accessible to Japan’s public as the Takaichi administration seeks support for its defense plans. In a Tuesday press conference, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said this year’s defense white paper was created with the intention of being read not only by those who are interested in defense and security but also by those who have never had the opportunity to read a white paper before.

“Security is deeply related to the daily lives of each and every citizen, and to the future. For this reason, we have made various efforts in both content and expression, through trial and error, to convey the challenges faced by the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces, and the efforts of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces, in an easy-to-understand manner,” Koizumi said.

The Ministry also released an explanatory video and for Japanese schools, the 2026 edition of Understanding Japan’s Defense.

“Through this year’s Defense White Paper, we hope to deepen the public’s understanding of Japan’s defense and security, and that it will serve as an opportunity for people to consider how security is connected to the future of each and every citizen,” Koizumi said.

The Defense White Paper’s cover features an anime drawing of Japanese citizens enjoying a peaceful day in a futuristic Japanese city, eschewing the traditional military theme covers in past iterations. The shift reflects the aims of the Takaichi administration to gain public support of Tokyo’s intention to increase defense capabilities and spending coupled with its plans to deploy various missile and weapon systems around Japan and beef up its military presence. These deployments and increased military presence, particularly in regard to long-range missiles, have led to fears by some residents in the vicinity of the deployment areas that the presence of such capabilities increases the possibility of attacks.

Defense of Japan 2026 cover art. The Takaichi administration is expected to issue this year revisions of Japan’s three key security documents, the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defense Buildup Program. The revisions, the DOJ2026 said, are required because of changes and new challenges in the security environment.

The revised documents entail a higher level of defense spending, with Japan targeting a 2 percent GDP spending by FY2027.

The 2 percent target falls short of the Trump administration’s call for countries to spend 3.5 percent of GDP in defense spending, which was recently reiterated by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the Shangri-La Dialogue in May. Hegseth in his speech also praised Japan, along with several other countries, for stepping up in sharing the defense burden.

The Takaichi administration has been reluctant to disclose the exact increase in defense spending due to fears of a public backlash from the higher cost of living and inflation.

Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Chokai (DDG-176) arrives in Naval Base San Diego, October 15, 2025. US Navy photo In the defense white paper, Japan cited the Russian-Ukraine conflict as an example of the need for domestic defense industry capability and capacity.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has continued for over four years. Having sufficient equipment and supplies during peacetime, as well as the ability to increase production in case of emergency, is becoming increasingly important for national defense going forward,” reads the white paper.

Japan also outlined threats posed by North Korea and China, and identified China as its major strategic challenge in the annual defense paper.

“China’s external posture, military activities, and other activities are a matter of serious concern for Japan and the international community and present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, which Japan should respond with its comprehensive national power and in cooperation and collaboration with its ally, like-minded countries and others,” reads the document.

Last year, China’s military held various activities around Japan. Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 fighters came within 50 meters of a Japanese surveillance aircraft, and in another instance, Chinese J-15 fighter jets twice locked radar targets on Japanese F-15 fighters in what officials described as harassing behavior.

The DOJ2026’s statement on China prompted a rebuke from China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Snr. Col. Chen Xi on Wednesday, who said that Japan’s new Defense White Paper was full of false narratives, exaggerating the surrounding security crisis and hyping up the China threat.

Tokyo’s first batch of long-range strike missiles capable of reaching ground and maritime targets have been operationally fielded, according to a March 30, 2026, announcement from Japan. Japan Self-Defense Forces photo “It is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, using this as an excuse to loosen restrictions on its own military. We strongly disagree with and resolutely oppose this,” Chen said.

North Korea was highlighted for its nuclear and missile advancements. In recent months North Korea has conducted at least eight missile launches, including testing its multiple rocket launcher system, anti-ship missiles and cruise missiles. North Korea also commissioned first-in-class destroyer Choe Hyon (51) in June, USNI News previously reported.

“They seriously undermine the peace and security of the region and the international community. They also represent a serious challenge to the entire international community with regard to non-proliferation of weapons including weapons of mass destruction (WMDs),” reads the Defense of Japan 2026.

The Russian military also continues to have an active military presence near Japan, often deploying its latest military equipment to the far east.

“Russia’s military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, coupled with its strategic partnership with China, are posing a strong security concern,” reads the document.

Nimiz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) transits alongside Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Akizuki-class destroyer JS Akizuki (DD-115) while underway in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 10, 2025. US Navy photo The DOJ2026 also emphasized the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

“Japan will maintain its peace, security, and independence centered on the Security Arrangements with the world’s dominant military power, the U.S., with which it shares basic values such as democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and a capitalist economy, as well as interests in maintaining the peace and security of the world; and has strong economic ties,” reads the white paper.

The two countries’ respective national defense strategies prioritize the prevention of unilateral changes to the status quo by force. Japan will further deepen discussions with the U.S. on their respective roles, missions and capabilities to further reinforce Japan-U.S. joint deterrence capabilities.