{
  "id": 4622738,
  "title": "Japan to beef up its defense with drones, AI and missiles, defense budget plans show",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/japan-to-beef-up-its-defense-with-drones-ai-and-missiles-defense-4622738",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-31T09:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/japan-defense-budget-drones-ai-bdda63e2831ff47a214d786bd4e45907"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent development, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outlined plans to augment the nation's defense capabilities in a budget request totaling 8.9 trillion yen, slightly higher than the 8.8 trillion yen requested for the current fiscal year. The primary focus of this increased budget is to bolster Japan's counterstrike capability by integrating drones, artificial intelligence, and missiles into the country's defense arsenal.\n\nWhile the defense budget has already been doubled to approximately 2% of Japan's GDP as part of its five-year strategy from 2022, this latest request indicates a more substantial transformation. The defense ministry aims to develop a more cost-effective air defense system by domestically producing uncrewed weapons, such as attack drones, long-range cruise missiles, and interceptors. These unmanned systems are anticipated to minimize casualties and reduce costs while enhancing Japan's defense network.\n\nJapan's new defense strategy seeks to \"drastically strengthen its deterrence and response capability\" to counter China's growing assertiveness. Uncrewed weapons, including attack drones launched from land or underwater, are expected to play a crucial role in executing cost-effective counterstrikes in conjunction with long-range missiles.\n\nThe ministry also plans to invest in the development of hypersonic missiles, which can be launched from submarines, to further enhance Japan's offensive capabilities. However, experts caution that creating fully homemade drones, given the dominance of the commercial drone market by Chinese imports, poses a significant challenge for Japan. Nevertheless, the government remains committed to fortifying its southwestern region and bolstering its counterstrike capability to ensure the nation's security in the face of evolving global dynamics.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (AP) — Japan plans to use drones , artificial intelligence and new methods of warfare as it adapts its defense strategies to suit changing times, according to details of an 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion)…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Japan to beef up its defense with drones, AI and missiles, defense budget plans show",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/japan-to-beef-up-its-defense-with-drones-ai-and-missiles-defense",
        "published": "2026-08-31T09:03:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}