Japan is eyeing a ‘China-free’ supply chain for defence equipment. Is it feasible?
March 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM
By Maria Siow
Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly and could take years as Tokyo tries to reduce its reliance on a strategic rival, analysts have said.
The debate gained urgency after Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi last week said Tokyo should consider creating a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, following Beijing’s ban on exports of dual-use items to Japan.
Speaking during a Lower House Budget Committee session, Koizumi said...
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Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly and could take years as Tokyo tries to reduce its re Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly and could take years as Tokyo tries to reduce its re Monitor developments in Japan for further updates.
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Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly an
Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly and could take years as Tokyo tries to reduce its reliance on a strategic rival, analysts have said.
The debate gained urgency after Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi last week said Tokyo should consider creating a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, following Beijing’s ban on exports of dual-use items to Japan.
Speaking during a Lower House Budget Committee session, Koizumi said...
AdvertisementJapanThis Week in AsiaPoliticsJapan is eyeing a ‘China-free’ supply chain for defence equipment. Is it feasible?Tokyo’s bid to boost ‘self-reliance’ may be costly and could take years given China’s dominance in critical materials, analysts say3-MIN READ3-MINMaria SiowPublished: 8:00am, 6 Mar 2026Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly and could take years as Tokyo tries to reduce its reliance on a strategic rival, analysts have said.The debate gained urgency after Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi last week said Tokyo should consider creating a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, following Beijing’s ban on exports of dual-use items to Japan.Speaking during a Lower House Budget Committee session, Koizumi said reducing reliance on Chinese exports was important.AdvertisementKoizumi citied his observations from a recent visit to Los Angeles, saying American drone companies did not use parts manufactured in China, and noting the importance of boosting “self-reliance”.Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has noted the importance of boosting “self-reliance”. Photo: KyodoGrant Newsham, a senior research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, said a “China-free” supply chain was feasible as the Japanese government was better able to influence the behaviour of private companies.Advertisement“If the ‘will’ exists and the shift is done with a focus on specific key equipment and hardware … relatively fast progress is possible. This can have a snowball effect,” Newsham said.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x
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