Japan 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 say
Speaking during a Lower House Budget Committee session, Koizumi said reducing reliance on Chinese exports was important.
Koizumi 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”.
Grant 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.
“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.