Japan to expand security aid to 12 Indo-Pacific nations
Tokyo has more than doubled its security assistance programme to US$114 million in a strategic push
The military of Kenya, which sits on the western Indian Ocean, is expected to be a first-time recipient under the programme, with the Japanese government seeking to strengthen maritime security cooperation, particularly in surveillance and monitoring, amid China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan selects recipient countries each financial year. The government has allocated about 18.1 billion yen (US$114 million) for the security assistance programme in the year ending March 2027, more than double the roughly 8 billion yen set aside for the last financial year.
Other countries being considered for help include the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, as well as Vietnam, East Timor and Palau.
Japan is considering supplying completed defence equipment, excluding items defined under Japan’s Self-Defence Forces Law as weapons intended to kill or destroy.
To date, Japan has mainly provided dual-use equipment and supplies to foreign militaries, including patrol boats and coastal surveillance radar systems.
The government also hopes that greater use of Japanese-made equipment will help expand the country’s defence industry overseas.