Globally, the defense sector has seen declining revenues for the past few years and many of the major industry players expect this trend to persist. However, the picture varies across different regions with some experiencing growth, despite reductions to defense spending in Europe.

For Japan, however, this is a period of substantial change, with new defense challenges and opportunities. The current administration has demonstrated clear resolve to overhaul Japan’s security and defense policies. In April 2014, the government approved new principles on arms transfers, essentially lifting Japan’s self-imposed ban on exporting weapons, which allowed Japanese firms to participate in international projects for the joint development of defense equipment. A new package of security and defense-related legislation is expected to pass the current Diet session, permitting Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense and expanding the range of scenarios in which the Self Defense Forces (SDF) could be dispatched overseas.

GR Japan has long-standing experience in the area of defense, and has helped major defense clients win highly competitive defense equipment competitions.  We  pride ourselves on our extensive network across relevant government stakeholder institutions and are well placed to help clients identify and seize emerging opportunities in Japan’s changing defense landscape.