Japan

The Japanese government is exploring responsive launch options to provide greater resilience in case its on-orbit systems are attacked.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he has “expressed openness” to Germany in joining the GCAP fighter development effort already underway with Italy and Japan.

Peach Aviation is a good example of how Japan’s LCCs are looking to tap into booming international demand, particularly on Japan-South Korea routes.

Leonardo, Telespazio and iSpace have signed an agreement that could lead the Japanese lunar technology company to deploy a batch of Moon-navigation satellites.

Rocket Lab has signed what it calls its largest Electron launch service agreement to date, with a 20-mission agreement with Japanese radar maker Synspective.

Sceye’s high-altitude platform station (HAPS) was part of a ground-based laser-ranging demonstration.

Over recent weeks, key U.S. allies in East Asia have laid out defense spending plans for 2027.

Synspective Plans Additional SAR Constellation Through Shared Model

Japanese synthetic aperture radar constellation operator Synspective plans to deploy a second constellation through a program that would pool demand and share assets among different users.

Japan’s major airline groups see LCCs as vital to their long-term strategies, making notable structural changes to better position their stables for the next wave of international growth.

Japan's NEC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have partnered to strengthen Japan's defense industrial base and develop sovereign data and AI capabilities.

Sceye flies solar-powered HAPS vehicle from New Mexico to Japan, demonstrating cellular communications and emergency services from the stratosphere.

Astroscale Selects Isar Aerospace To Launch Japanese Debris Mission

Japan seeks record ¥8.9 trillion defense budget, emphasizing AI, standoff weapons, hypersonics and layered air defenses.

StarFlyer secures a Leap spare engine lease to address supply challenges and ensure stable operations for its Airbus A320neo fleet over the next decade.

Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has selected Terra Drone to supply the Japan Self-Defense Forces with its Terra B1 interceptor drone under a fast-tracked program to strengthen counter-uncrewed aircraft capabilities.

For more information about Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s (AWIN) 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast and other Aviation Week data products, please see: https://pgs.aviationweek.com/forecast

Australia and Japan have conducted the first test of a jointly-developed prototype surveillance laser system, marking the first co-development project between the two countries as bilateral defense ties continue to deepen.

Japan has conducted its first live-fire test of the RTX BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile.

As Canada joins GCAP as an observer, governments and industry are working out how to manage the next steps in this ambitious fighter program.

Reusable rocketry might soon extend beyond the U.S., as China and Japan each approach operational capability.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has shortlisted interceptor drones from four companies for trials aimed at defending military bases and naval vessels against the growing threat posed by uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

Japan’s Ispace says it has secured capacity on a SpaceX Starship launch to expand its lunar transportation ambitions.

Development of the combat aircraft at the heart of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) is set to accelerate after prime contractor Edgewing was awarded a £4.6 billion contract.

Japan’s Defense Ministry established a position for space matters in its armaments planning organization as part of efforts to strengthen capabilities in this area.