Japan says combat drones key to adapting to new warfare as tension rises in the region

TOKYO (AP) — Japan needs to adapt to the new methods of warfare like drones and artificial intelligence used in Ukraine and the Middle East and strengthen its defense industry, the government said Tuesday. Japan has bolstered its military capability and spending in recent years and has started deploying long-range cruise missiles as a deterrence to China’s military activity. The 598-page defense paper adopted by the Cabinet on Tuesday reiterated that China is Japan’s biggest strategic challenge.

Japan is alarmed by the growing presence and frequency of Chinese warships in the Pacific Ocean. The annual white paper outlines Japan’s military activity and priorities and analysis of military trends in specific countries. As Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government needs public support for further military buildup and spending and to attract service members, the report has features to appeal to readers including a cartoon on the cover and links to video clips in Japanese, English and Chinese.

Combat drones for new warfare Inspired by the use of drones by Ukraine, Japan considers it is essential to adapt to “new ways of warfare,” the paper said. With many countries racing to develop combat drones, Japan’s government prioritizes development of its own for a coastal defense, in combination with long-range missiles. “Speed is key,” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in early July.

The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency recently selected four drone makers out of 38 applicants for a rapid development program and that they will advance to testing by Japan’s navy in early August before a final selection. A number of companies are developing similar drones. Toshiba announced Friday plans to jointly develop combat drones with startup Pro Drone.

Uncrewed weapons could help Japan make up for its decreasing number of service members in a country with a shrinking population. Experts say developing fully homemade drones while Japan’s commercial drone market is dominated by Chinese imports would be a challenge. Alarmed by China’s activity in the Pacific, Russia and North Korea Japan has strengthened its military forces on southwestern islands in recent years and has started deploying long-range cruise missiles, as it worries about a conflict in Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

The paper noted the growing presence Chinese warships and frequency of thei… The Defense Ministry has established a unit dedicated to study Japan’s Pacific strategy and strengthen its defense against China.China has consistently increased its military spending without transparency and strengthened nuclear and missile capability extensively and rapidly, the defense paper said.It noted that in last December Chinese aircraft locked their radars, con…