20 August 2020

Japan outlines new measures to strengthen industrial base

by Jon Grevatt

Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) is undertaking a series of internal reviews to enhance defence industrial policies related to contracting, supply chains, imports, and international sales and collaboration.

A spokesperson from the MoD told Janes on 19 August that the reviews are targeted at strengthening the country’s defence industrial base. Such efforts have intensified in 2020 in response to growing strategic threats and the impact of Covid-19.

Japan’s MoD has outlined a series of initiatives to strengthen the country’s defence industrial base. These measures include greater involvement in the maintenance and support of major platforms such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter aircraft. (US Air Force)

In terms of defence contracting, the MoD spokesperson said the internal review is assessing the effectiveness of the existing approach with a view to creating a “competitive environment” within the industrial base. The review will look to apply “appropriate incentives”, said the spokesperson.

To strengthen the risk management of supply chains, the MoD is also conducting a “survey of major equipment”, said the spokesperson, assessing weaknesses and strengths in industrial networks.

The results of the survey are being documented in a database that will enable monitoring and identification of risks. Funding for the project was included in Japan’s defence budget for 2020.

Another emphasis in 2020 is boosting Japanese industry’s role in providing comprehensive maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade (MRO&U) support for military platforms imported from overseas, usually from the United States.

The spokesperson said the MoD is pursuing wider local industrial participation in projects to provide MRO&U services for platforms including the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter, the Bell-Boeing V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and other major systems.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) is undertaking a series of internal reviews to enhance defence ind...

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