Japanese Startups Enter Defense Drone Production as Takaichi Pushes Domestic Manufacturing, Cuts China Reliance
Updated
Updated · Nikkei Asia · Aug 4
Japanese Startups Enter Defense Drone Production as Takaichi Pushes Domestic Manufacturing, Cuts China Reliance
3 articles · Updated · Nikkei Asia · Aug 4
Summary
Japanese startups are moving into defense drone production as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi presses to build more military hardware at home and reduce reliance on China.
Eams Robotics aims to work with U.S. defense startup Anduril, while Terra Drone is shifting battery production to Japan, showing how the push extends beyond airframes to key components.
The effort reflects drones' growing battlefield role, highlighted by systems such as Ukraine company SkyFall's interceptor drone and lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine.
Japan's broader drone buildup is accelerating: Tokyo has already picked 4 drone makers for a rapid development program tied to coastal defense and rising regional tensions.