Sanae Takaichi's government prioritizes drone development and defense industry growth to counter China's military expansion.
The Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has released a defense paper outlining a strategic shift toward modern warfare technologies. The report emphasizes the need to adapt to new methods of warfare, specifically drones and artificial intelligence, as seen in the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. To counter China's growing military presence in the Pacific, Japan is prioritizing the development of own domestic drones for coastal defense and long-range missiles. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi noted that speed is key to this development. The government is currently testing drones from four selected makers to help offset a shrinking population and a decreasing number of service members. By expanding domestic manufacturing, Sanae Takaichi seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and diversify defense partnerships. Japan is also strengthening its defense industry base by scrapping lethal weapons export bans and pursuing joint development deals with allies like Australia and the Philippines.