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Japan's Defense Export Push Gains Momentum as Global Military Spending Soars

Japan is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the booming international weapons market as it relaxes decades-old restrictions on arms exports. Global military spending reached a record $2.89 trillion in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year of increases, according to data released April 27. Countries are actively seeking air defense systems and naval platforms—areas where Japanese manufacturers already possess significant technical expertise. The Tokyo-based Institute of Geoeconomics notes Japan could expand market share in these high-demand categories. South Korea's defense sector offers a potential blueprint. Companies there have achieved rapid growth by producing comparable-quality weapons at competitive prices during recent conflicts. Industrial capacity constraints and limited export experience present near-term challenges to Japan's ambitions, but global demand dynamics appear favorable.