Japan is formulating a new strategy aimed at boosting the involvement of universities and national research institutions in defense-related research, while also tightening security measures for sensitive technologies. This initiative will be part of the forthcoming Comprehensive Innovation Strategy 2026. The government’s plan includes the creation of secure research facilities equipped with advanced access controls to safeguard sophisticated technologies and defense-related information. Additionally, the strategy encourages dual-use research, allowing innovations to serve both civilian applications and national security needs.
The Japanese government intends to finalize specific measures by the year’s end, targeting the establishment of dedicated defense research bases within research organizations by fiscal 2030. There is also an ambition to eventually extend this initiative to universities, fostering a broader engagement in defense-related scientific exploration.
This move comes amid persistent caution among numerous academic institutions, which remain wary of military-linked research. These reservations are deeply rooted in Japan’s historical experience during World War II, which continues to influence contemporary perspectives on the role of academia in defense matters.