Japan’s Defense Export Revolution: A Game Changer in Global Politics? – Part 3

“The surge in South Korea’s K-defense exports stimulates Japan”

The reason Japanese defense companies are aggressively launching sales is not only due to the strong will of the Japanese government to export defense equipment but also due to the changes in the rapidly growing global defense market after the Ukraine war. For example, in the case of the Asia-Oceania region, which has a high proportion of Japan’s foreign trade, defense spending in 2022 increased by 2.7% from the previous year to 575 billion dollars.

Japanese media outlets have assessed that domestic and foreign environments have driven Japan to drive defense exports. The Yomiuri Shimbun analyzed, “The performance of Korea’s defense exports, which has been prominent in Poland and Southeast Asia in recent years, is stimulating Japan,” and “There is a pervasive sense of crisis in the Japanese ruling party that if they don’t act, they will be caught off guard.”

This view can also be seen in the remarks of Japanese officials. Hideki Fukawa, director of the International Equipment Planning Office of the Defense Equipment Agency under the Ministry of Defense, who oversaw the participation of Japanese defense companies at the Singapore Airshow, told the U.S. military professional media Defense News at the time, “There are many opportunities for Japanese defense companies to enter the global market, but the problem is that they do not have the same (export) experience as foreign companies.” He also wanted to “showcase Japan’s excellent defense technology (through the exhibitions).”

Japanese defense companies are beginning to gain recognition for their impressive export performances. A prime example is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which has started exporting Patriot interceptor missiles (PAC2 and PAC3), which it produces under license, to the United States. The U.S. is importing these missiles from Japan to support a shortfall in its supply to Ukraine.

Last December, Japan opened a new export route by delivering its first air defense radar to the Philippines. This was the first of four radars that Mitsubishi Electric has contracted to deliver. The rise in exports to Asia, with high growth potential, means that Korean defense companies now have a new competitor.

But that’s not all. Japan is also actively pursuing the Indian market, the world’s largest importer of weapons. According to Japanese media, a contract for exporting communication antennas for ships is imminent. Japan has been actively selling to the Indian weapons market through various channels, including the Quad, a security forum with the U.S., Australia, and India, and bilateral diplomatic and security ministerial (2+2) meetings between the two countries.

To Read Part 1…
To Read Part 2…
To Read Part 4…