Japan prepares Defense industrial strategy for prolonged conflicts
State-backed agency, reserve production capacity and overseas transfers feature in strategy as ministers meet contractor representatives
Japan is preparing to adopt a Defense Industrial Base Strategy by the end of 2026 to address whether domestic industry can keep the Self-Defense Forces supplied through a prolonged conflict, with Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akazawa Ryosei meeting representatives of five major contractors on November 4. Koizumi called for reserve production capacity and a fundamental rethink of defense equipment policy.