Tokyo's Defense Plan Embraces Drone Warfare and AI to Bolster Deterrence
Japan's Defense Ministry has submitted a preliminary budget request of 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion) for the next fiscal year, focusing on drones, AI, and new warfare methods. The plan includes acquiring unmanned attack drones for underwater or aerial launch and integrating AI into command systems. Officials also aim to develop hypersonic submarine-launched missiles to strengthen counterstrike capabilities.
The budget request represents a modest increase over the previous year's 8.8 trillion yen figure, with final details pending government approval. Japan's 2022 five-year strategy doubled defense spending to roughly 2% of GDP, a move Beijing has publicly criticized as "new militarism." The ministry explicitly cites Ukraine's drone deployment as a model for adapting to modern warfare.
The plan encompasses unmanned attack drones for underwater or aerial launch, hypersonic submarine-launched missiles, and an integrated AI command platform. Japan also proposes a state-owned, contractor-operated production system to prevent supplier shortages, plus a dedicated defense cloud for secure communications. Major suppliers like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have already seen profits rise from the buildup.
This defense transformation could reshape Japan's regional security posture and its domestic defense industry. The shift toward drones and AI may help offset declining military personnel numbers as the population ages, potentially affecting recruitment and training approaches. The emphasis on domestic production could influence supply chains and Japan's economic relationship with China, which has criticized the buildup. Society may see increased defense spending compete with other budget priorities, while the new technologies raise questions about autonomous