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Japan Forward
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Japan, India Security Cooperation Rises Across the Board
The Indo-Pacific region is at a critical juncture where technological superiority increasingly determines strategic outcomes. Against this backdrop, Japan and India are breaking through decades of constraints and traditional defense partnerships to forge an unprecedented high-technology military collaboration. This evolving relationship transcends conventional arms trade. It represents a fundamental reimagining of how two major democracies can jointly develop, produce, and deploy cutting-edge defense systems that will shape regional security architectures for generations. The recent agreement on Unification Complex Radio Antenna masts technology, known as UNICORN, marks a watershed moment. This stealth-enhancing radar system, co-developed by Japan's NEC Corporation, with Bharat Electronics Limited, represents the first instance of defense equipment co-production between the two nations. More significantly, it signals Japan's willingness to share its most advanced military technologies with India. It is a privilege extended to only one other nation in Asia, the Philippines. The significance of this breakthrough cannot be overstated. Japan's decision to share this advanced stealth technology, currently deployed on its cutting-edge Mogami-class frigates, positions India as only the second Asian nation, after the Philippines, to receive such high-grade defense equipment from Tokyo. This selective technology transfer underscores the strategic trust between the two nations. Moreover, it demonstrates Japan's recognition of India as a critical partner in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability. Vice Minister Funakoshi meets his counterpart Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Delhi on July 28. (©Ministry of Foreign Affairs.) Japan's transformation from a strictly pacifist nation to an active defense technology partner has been gradual but decisive. The 2014 revision of the defense export policies under the foresighted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe initiated this shift. But the March 2024 amendment to the "Three Principles for Transfer of Equipment and Technology" represents a quantum leap. These changes reflect Tokyo's evolving strategic calculus in response to what Defense Minister Gen Nakatani describes as "rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain regional and international circumstances." The institutional framework supporting this cooperation has matured significantly. In May 2025, the Japan-India Defense Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regional framework was established. It provides a structured mechanism for managing bilateral defense initiatives from a "comprehensive and integrated perspective." This builds upon earlier milestones, including the 2015 Agreements on Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation, the 2021 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, and the regular 2+2 ministerial dialogues that have deepened strategic convergence. Beyond radar systems, the potential for collaboration extends through the entire spectrum of advanced military technologies. Japan's expertise in submarine technology presents immense opportunities. The Soryu-class submarines, featuring revolutionary lithium-ion battery propulsion systems, are the pinnacle of conventional submarine technology. These 4,200-ton vessels offer unmatched stealth and endurance capabilities, surpassing both the French Scorpene submarines currently being built in India and the German Type 214. Japan's earlier reluctance to participate in India's P-75(1) submarine program stemmed from complex technology transfer requirements and procedural challenges. However, the evolving strategic environment and liberalized export policies have reopened possibilities for future collaboration. On March 8, the JGSDF and Indian Army conducted a closing ceremony in Dharma Guardian 23, further deepening the bond between JGSDF and Indian Army.(©X on @JGSDF_pr) The aerospace domain offers equally transformative potential. During recent meetings, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh specifically highlighted his country's capabilities and interest in collaborating on tank engines and aero engines. Japan possesses significant expertise in both areas. Also, Japanese companies have developed advanced materials, aero-structural technologies, and propulsion systems that could accelerate India's indigenous defense programs. Meanwhile, they also create synergies with Japan's own modernization efforts. Maritime security cooperation has already shown impressive progress through regular bilateral exercises. For example, the Japan-India Maritime Exercises known as JIMEX have evolved from basic interoperability drills to complex multi-dimensional operations. The annual Dharma Guardian exercises have enhanced army-to-army cooperation, while Veer Guardian and Shinyu Maitri have strengthened air force partnerships. These exercises build the human and operational foundations essential for deeper technological collaboration. The business-to-business dimension adds another layer of sophistication to this partnership. Regular forums bringing together defense industries from both nations have identified specific areas for collaboration. These range from component manufacturing to systems integration. The involvement of Japanese Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in India's defense production ecosystem could revolutionize supply chain resilience while supporting India's "Make in India "objectives. Yet this partnership faces real challenges that require careful focus. Japan's concerns about technology security, particularly given India's continued defense relationships with Russia, create understandable friction. The presence of Russian-origin equipment in India's arsenal, including the S-400 air defense system, raises legitimate questions about operational security for sensitive technologies. Japanese defense officials have expressed concerns about potential intellectual property theft and maintaining a strategic advantage. Foreign ministers of the Quad countries meet in Washington to discuss regional security. (©Ministry of Foreign Affairs) The strategic logic driving this partnership, however, appears compelling enough to overcome these obstacles. Both nations face similar challenges in maintaining strategic autonomy while modernizing their defense capabilities. Neither wants excessive dependence on any single technology provider, whether Western or Russian. (Though some Japanese may not officially share the same view as this writer). Japan possesses advanced technologies and manufacturing precision. However, it seeks to expand its defense industrial base and share development costs. India offers a large market, growing technological capabilities, and strategic depth in the Indian Ocean region. The Japan-India high tech defense partnership embodies a vision for an indigenous Indo-Pacific security architecture built on shared democratic values and mutual strategic interests. This partnership offers both nations a pathway to advanced capabilities while maintaining strategic autonomy. The UNICORN masts agreement may be just the beginning, but it signals a transformation that could redefine regional security dynamics for decades to come. Author: Pema Gyalpo, PhD Dr Pema Gyalpo is a Visiting Professor at the Takushoku University Center for Indo-Pacific Strategic Studies.
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India, Japan officials meet, discuss PM's visit, bullet train project
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan next month, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with visiting Japanese Vice-Minister Funakoshi Takehiro in Delhi on Monday (July 28, 2025) to discuss strengthening ties, upcoming projects and smoothing out supply chain issues. Both sides are understood to have discussed the latest developments in the Shinkansen Bullet train project to connect Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) and Mumbai, including Japan's decision, reported by the Japan Times earlier this year, to gift India two of its latest E-10 Shinkansen trains, which will be simultaneously introduced in Japan and India. According to the latest schedule revealed in a Parliament response by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav last week, the Gujarat portion of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway will be completed by December 2027, and the entire project, which was initially due to be done in 2022, is now expected to be completed by December 2029. During his visit to Delhi, Mr. Funakoshi also met with P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, to discuss Mr. Modi's travel plans. 'The dialogue was instrumental in reviewing progress in various dimensions of our ties, exploring new areas of collaboration and contributing to further deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Japan,' said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement, adding that Mr. Misri and Mr. Funakoshi discussed 'political ties, defence and security, economic security, trade and investment, infrastructure cooperation, technology and people-to-people exchanges' during talks at Hyderabad House. In addition, officials on both sides have been discussing problems with the shortage of critical minerals required for batteries and rare earth magnets for Battery Electric Vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers due to export restrictions from China. According to sources, companies such as Suzuki and Toyota have been particularly affected, as they factor in the lower cost of Chinese materials required for EV cars manufactured in India. In the long term, the sources said that India and Japan are considering collaborations for the development of rare earth materials here and other third countries like Vietnam. India and Japan hold annual bilateral summits, a practice that was derailed in 2024 due to elections in both countries and conflicting schedules, and the visit has been put off a few times until now. While a date for Mr. Modi's visit to Japan is yet to be announced, it is expected to be held in the second half of August. He is also expected to travel to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on August 31-September 1, although officials did not confirm whether the two visits would be combined or separate. 'With an eye on Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan scheduled within this year, the two sides confirmed that Japan and India will strengthen bilateral relations in a wide range of areas such as security, economy and people-to-people exchanges,' a Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said. 'They also confirmed that both countries will further cooperate with each other, including within the framework of Quad [Japan-Australia-India-U.S.] to realise a 'free and open Indo-Pacific', it added. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is also expected to visit India for the Quad Summit, along with U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, later this year, possibly in mid-November. 'During the dialogue, Foreign Secretary and his counterpart reaffirmed the growing importance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,' the MEA statement said. (with inputs from Maitri Porecha)
18-07-2025
- Politics
Japan, U.S., S. Korea Reconfirm Cooperation over N. Korea
News from Japan Politics Jul 18, 2025 20:50 (JST) Tokyo, July 18 (Jiji Press)--Senior diplomats from Japan, the United States and South Korea on Friday reconfirmed that the countries will work closely together to deal with North Korea's military cooperation with Russia and cyberattacks including cryptocurrency thefts by Pyongyang. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo met in Tokyo for about an hour and 35 minutes. This was the first meeting among the three countries' vice minister-level diplomatic officials since such talks in Seoul last October, and also the first since the launch of the second administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the inauguration of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Funakoshi, Landau and Park expressed "serious concerns" over North Korea's nuclear and missile development, confirming their countries' engagement in the efforts to completely denuclearize North Korea based on relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. On North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago, Funakoshi expressed his gratitude to Landau and Park, who both backed actions taken by Japan. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
South Wales Guardian
22-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Aid groups have collected some supplies from Gaza crossing, says UN
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Humanitarian agency OCHA, said the trucks that entered carried medicine, wheat flour and nutrition supplies. Aid groups faced significant challenges distributing the aid because of insecurity, the risk of looting and coordination issues with Israeli authorities, Mr Laerke added. Under international pressure, Israel has allowed dozens of aid trucks into Gaza after blocking all food, medicine, fuel and other material for nearly three months. But the supplies have been sitting on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. Also on Thursday, international leaders were reacting to the shooting of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC the previous day. The attack was seen by officials in Israel and the US as the latest in a growing wave of antisemitism as Israel ramps up its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Japan's Foreign Ministry says it has made 'a severe protest' to Israel over its military's firing of warning shots at a diplomatic delegation including Japanese diplomats that was visiting a refugee camp in the Israel-occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Vice-minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen, to request a full explanation and preventive measures. Mr Fukakoshi told Mr Gilad the incident was 'deeply regrettable and should not have happened'. Mr Funakoshi also reiterated Japan's strong concern over Israel's attempted reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and the expansion of military operations, urging it to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid into Gaza, the foreign ministry said. Mr Funakoshi also offered his condolences on the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC, stating that 'terrorism is not tolerated anywhere in the world'.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Aid groups have collected some supplies from Gaza crossing, says UN
Aid groups have collected humanitarian aid carried by about 90 trucks, out of a total of nearly 200 that have entered Gaza since Israel began allowing limited goods in earlier this week, the United Nations said. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Humanitarian agency OCHA, said the trucks that entered carried medicine, wheat flour and nutrition supplies. Aid groups faced significant challenges distributing the aid because of insecurity, the risk of looting and coordination issues with Israeli authorities, Mr Laerke added. Workers unload cargo from a truck carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip at the offload area of the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza (Leo Correa/AP) Under international pressure, Israel has allowed dozens of aid trucks into Gaza after blocking all food, medicine, fuel and other material for nearly three months. But the supplies have been sitting on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. Also on Thursday, international leaders were reacting to the shooting of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC the previous day. The attack was seen by officials in Israel and the US as the latest in a growing wave of antisemitism as Israel ramps up its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Japan's Foreign Ministry says it has made 'a severe protest' to Israel over its military's firing of warning shots at a diplomatic delegation including Japanese diplomats that was visiting a refugee camp in the Israel-occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Palestinians inspect a house destroyed by an Israeli airstrikes in Deir al-Balah, Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Vice-minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen, to request a full explanation and preventive measures. Mr Fukakoshi told Mr Gilad the incident was 'deeply regrettable and should not have happened'. Mr Funakoshi also reiterated Japan's strong concern over Israel's attempted reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and the expansion of military operations, urging it to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid into Gaza, the foreign ministry said. Mr Funakoshi also offered his condolences on the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC, stating that 'terrorism is not tolerated anywhere in the world'.
