Japan’s push to strengthen its armed forces is running into headwinds that money alone cannot resolve, analysts warn, pointing to prolonged delays in US weapon shipments and domestic manufacturing bottlenecks that undermine operational readiness.
The issues have cast doubt on Tokyo’s ability to meet ambitious force expansion targets as the government prepares to overhaul its defence and security spending priorities.
Observers say these setbacks highlight the need for Japan to build up its domestic defence industry and reduce reliance on US suppliers. However, persistent maintenance and supply issues affecting Japanese-made aircraft suggest that greater self-reliance brings its own set of challenges.