Japan Plans to Open Defense Industry to Universities and Startups

Defense work has long been walled off from civilian business at major Japanese firms. A new plan now aims to tear down those walls.

The Japanese government has drafted a plan to accelerate the development of advanced defense technologies by drawing on research institutions and startups, it emerged on October 4.

The initiative aims to adapt Japan's defense capabilities to modern warfare, where drones and artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly important role.

Modeled on a US system, the plan would strengthen research infrastructure and encourage startups to pursue ambitious projects. The government hopes closer cooperation between researchers, emerging companies, and the defense industry will help bring new technologies into practical use more quickly.

The proposals are expected to be incorporated into revisions of Japan's three key national security documents later this year.

Research Hubs at Universities and National Institutes 

Under the plan, the government will establish research hubs at universities and national research institutes. Each will be equipped with specialized personnel, facilities, and information security systems to support the development of advanced defense technologies.

Priority research areas include stealth technology to evade radar detection, heat-resistant materials, and technologies that enable humans and AI to work together.

The Ministry of Defense will work with researchers to set ambitious goals based on military requirements. A new program will also support projects from initial research through to testing and demonstration, helping turn promising technologies into practical applications.

The government also plans to accelerate the adoption of startup technologies by awarding contracts to multiple companies simultaneously. By testing new technologies while development is still underway, it hopes to shorten the time needed to bring them into practical use. Applications for the program opened earlier this fiscal year.

Learning From the US Model

The initiative draws inspiration from the United States, where universities, research institutions, defense contractors, and startups work closely with the military to develop advanced technologies.

One example is the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, which conducts research ranging from basic science to practical defense applications. Its contributions include the development of the Aegis combat system, which uses advanced radar to detect and track multiple threats.

Japan, by contrast, has traditionally relied on the Ministry of Defense and a small number of established defense contractors to develop military equipment. Research and development has largely remained separate from civilian industries, limiting opportunities to share technologies and apply military innovations to commercial products.

Lessons from Ukraine

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the growing importance of inexpensive drones and AI in modern warfare. Ukrainian defense manufacturers have adapted rapidly to battlefield needs, sometimes improving equipment in as little as two to three weeks based on feedback from frontline troops.

Japan hopes to develop a similarly flexible defense industry by adopting elements of the US model. As part of upcoming revisions to its three national security documents, the government aims to establish a framework for closer public-private cooperation over the next five to ten years.

RELATED:

Japan's Defense Transformation Is More Ambitious Than It Looks

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Toyohiro Ichioka, The Sankei Shimbun