Japan maritime hardening and allied ISR/space cooperation (polls; blue book; JSDF reforms; hypersonics/drones)
Key Questions
What arms exports is Japan pursuing?
Takaichi to VN/OSA arms, Koizumi PH frigates/missiles. Three Principles Apr draft loosens lethal/non-lethal/secrecy to PH/Indo/VN, slammed by MOFA Mao Ning.
What JSDF reforms and deployments are underway?
JSDF reorg/EC-2/3200 intel post-knife incident. 420 GSDF first Balikatan/Salaknib PH till May (Luzon drones/EW multi-nation).
What missile developments concern China?
Type12/25 SSM 1000km glide bombs/HVGP Kumamoto/Shizuoka (NetEase alarms Shanghai range/CN NOTAM). Loitering drones/low-cost missiles 60B budget.
How do polls reflect Japanese views on China?
76-93% see CN as threat per blue book. 24k+ protests Apr5 against military expansion.
What tech cooperation bolsters Japan?
MSFT $10B AI/cloud/cyber. FOSSA smallsats, France/Aus/Indo rare earths/SMR, JP-AUS Apr8 ME/sec.
What delays impact Japan's capabilities?
Chokai mods/Tomahawk delays due to US depletion.
How pivotal is Japan in allied strategies?
CSIS views JP as pivotal, US-JP ally pref vs KR. Polls and reforms show hardening.
What multi-nation exercises involve Japan?
Balikatan/Salaknib with PH, multi-nation EW/drones on Luzon.
Takaichi VN/OSA arms, Koizumi PH frigates/missiles; JSDF 420 GSDF first Balikatan/Salaknib Shoulder-to-Shoulder PH till May (Luzon drones/EW multi-nation); Type12/25 SSM 1000km glide bombs/HVGP Kumamoto/Shizuoka (NetEase alarms Shanghai range/CN NOTAM response); loitering drones/low-cost missiles 60B; MSFT $10B AI/cloud/cyber; arms export Three Principles Apr draft (MOFA Mao Ning slams; lethal/non-lethal/secrecy allies to PH/Indo/VN); JP-AUS Apr8 ME/sec; Chokai mods/Tomahawk delays; JSDF reorg/EC-2/3200 intel post-knife; 24k+ protests Apr5; polls 76-93% CN threat; CSIS JP pivotal; France/Aus/Indo rare earths/SMR; FOSSA smallsats; US-JP ally pref vs KR.