3 Security Documents: Essential for Japan to Respond to Changing Methods of Warfare

Editorial

15:00 JST, April 28, 2026

The security environment surrounding Japan is becoming more severe than ever before.

Japan also has to deal with new methods of warfare, including those involving the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. How can the necessary funding be secured to further strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities in response to these circumstances?

It is essential for the government to identify challenges involved in safeguarding peace and safety in the entire Asian region, and to establish a framework to translate these challenges into actions, based on the opinions of experts.

By the end of the year, the government plans to revise three security documents, including the National Security Strategy, which sets forth the basic security policy, and the Defense Buildup Program, which specifies defense spending for the five years that started in fiscal 2023. A panel of experts tasked with discussing how the documents should be revised has held its first meeting.

The current documents, which were revised at the end of 2022, explicitly state the need to possess counterattack and other capabilities to enhance Japan’s ability to deal with missiles from China and North Korea. Defense spending was set at ¥43 trillion over five years.

Since then, however, China has continued to build up its military capabilities. It has begun deploying aircraft carriers in the Pacific and has repeatedly conducted military exercises. Russia and North Korea are deepening their military cooperation.

It is clear that the security environment has deteriorated compared to the situation four years ago. It is appropriate for the government to advance the revision of the three documents to be prepared for these threats.

The focus of the discussions leading up to the revisions is how to deal with new methods of warfare. Iran is deploying large numbers of low-cost drones to counter attacks by the United States and Israel.

Currently, Japan lacks the foundation to produce drones that can be used in combat. It is essential for the government to help rapidly foster defense companies in order to procure high-performance drones.

Ukraine, which is being subjected to Russia’s aggression, constantly faces a shortage of weapons. Maintaining combat sustainability is a significant challenge for any country.

The government has revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and their operational guidelines, paving the way for the export of lethal defense equipment.

Expanding sales channels overseas and establishing a framework for mutual cooperation with like-minded nations is extremely important for Japan. If domestic production capacity can be improved through such steps, the nation’s combat sustainability will also be enhanced.

Government support is essential for companies to export defense equipment smoothly. Perhaps government involvement in such matters as price negotiations should be considered.

Going forward, the extent to which security-related expenditures, including defense spending, should be increased will also be a topic of discussion at the expert panel.

Enhancing defense capabilities requires permanent fiscal resources. There should not be a casual reliance on government bonds, nor should stopgap measures be used. The government should directly seek the public’s understanding regarding the securing of permanent fiscal resources.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 28, 2026)