{
  "id": 1460718,
  "title": "Rakuten to tie with German drone firm to supply Japan Defense Ministry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/rakuten-to-tie-with-german-drone-firm-to-supply-japan-defense-ministry",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T09:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260817/p2g/00m/0bu/020000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rakuten Group Inc. is set to collaborate with Helsing, a German start-up specializing in interceptor drone technology, to supply Japan's Defense Ministry with drones, according to a source familiar with the matter. The partnership aims to bolster Japan's defense capabilities and leverage the growing demand for drones in the country's defense industry. Helsing, founded in 2021, focuses on developing AI-powered drones capable of autonomous operation and missile interception. The Ground Self-Defense Force plans to conduct demonstration experiments with Helsing's drones through the end of September to determine their suitability for introduction. While the specific usage and quantity of drones to be provided are yet to be decided, they are anticipated to be deployed in coastal regions for anti-landing operations. Rakuten will serve as the intermediary for Helsing in Japan, offering domestic drone training programs and conducting building exterior inspections with drones, marking its first engagement with military-grade drones. Rakuten previously supported the participation of a Ukrainian start-up in a defense equipment exhibition held in Japan last year. As conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated, drones offer a cost-effective and rapidly deployable solution in modern warfare, leading Japan's Defense Ministry to actively promote the integration of drones into their operations.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Rakuten Group Inc. will partner with Helsing, a German interceptor drone start-up, to help the defense artificial intelligence compan",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}