Japan

The French and Japanese governments have committed to developing a satellite deorbiting mission in the next five years through a joint industry agreement.

The government organization running the tri-national Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) has awarded a long-awaited contract to push forward with the development of the future fighter.

Japan has designated its upgraded Type 12 surface-to-surface missile (SSM) as the Type 25 surface-to-surface guided missile.

The project will develop a compact, low-cost spectrometer that can be deployed across satellites, aircraft, and ground stations.

Japan plans to begin commercial advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in 2027-28 under a revised road map.

Washington has given the green light to a potential sale to Japan of a test support package for its Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) program.

Delta Air Lines is seeing strong outbound demand from the U.S. to Japan and South Korea, as the carrier further develops its Asia-Pacific strategy.

At a White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the two countries agreed to strengthen defense ties.

Satellite bus builder Apex has signed a contract with Tokyo-based technology company NEC Corp. to support an on-orbit laser link demo launching in 2027.

Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani says he’s “very open” to expanding the GCAP partnership to develop a future fighter.

he Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Development and Test Command has unveiled the first official photographs of its new Kawasaki C-2 standoff jammer aircraft.

Cathay Pacific is seeing positive results from efforts to diversify the network of its low-cost subsidiary HK Express despite widening losses for fiscal 2025.

Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive has agreed to a general certification plan for its three-seater SD-05 with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.

Spanish launch startup PLD Space’s latest funding round underscored how countries are trying to ensure access to space.

The Netherlands will send F-35s to Japan for exercises, marking the first time the country’s air force will have deployed combat aircraft there.

China has banned the export of dual-use items to 20 Japanese firms and other institutions.

Japan’s Synspective says it secured a contract to support the country’s project to access SAR satellite data that Tokyo is acquiring through a PFI.

SkyDrive has signed a preorder agreement with 7A Drones for 10 SD-05 air taxis for emergency transportation of patients and medical staff in Taiwan.

Finnair had to rethink its strategy after Russia’s Ukraine invasion, but now Japan demand is back.

Airbus says it will augment its space-based SAR imagery provision through a teaming agreement with Japan’s Synspective to boost resolution and revisit rates.

ATLA says it is seeing a roughly 50% increase in interest and engagement from foreign customers for Japanese defense solutions at this year's Singapore Airshow.

Airbus plans to finally deploy the Superbird-9 broadcast and broadband satellite for Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT next year after multiple delays, Schoellhorn says.

A global team of researchers has demonstrated that active twisting of helicopter main rotor blades could help reduce noise and vibration levels.

For Japan, 2026 marks the penultimate year of its five-year Defense Buildup Plan, initiated in 2022 in response to a perceived deterioration in the regional security environment.

Two French space companies are forming a strategic partnership to build deorbiting systems for use in low Earth orbit.