Will Japan help US with missiles? Tokyo joins Trump’s Iron Dome
Illustrative photo: Japan may begin missile production for the US (Getty Images)
Japan will officially join the US missile defense initiative Iron Dome and is preparing to increase missile production at the request of the US, according to Reuters.
Read also: Japan joins PURL initiative for Ukraine, report reveals how it will aid
Official joining of the project
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to announce the country’s participation in the project during a meeting with US President Donald Trump on March 19.
Tokyo sees this initiative as a means of protection against China’s and Russia’s hypersonic weapons.
According to the outlet's sources, the Japanese side expects specific requests from Washington regarding production capacities.
"Tokyo anticipates that Trump may request Japan to produce or co-develop missiles that could help replace stocks of U.S. munitions depleted by the US-Israeli war on Iran, as well as its support for Ukraine," informed sources said.
Japan’s role in replenishing arsenals
The Iron Dome project involves combining ground-based air defense systems with space-based surveillance elements. For the US, involving Japanese production capacities is critical, as American stockpiles have been depleted due to support for Ukraine and the war against Iran.
Japan has already begun moving away from its policy of banning arms exports, sending missiles for Patriot systems to the US.
"It is still considering how to respond to any such request," sources add, emphasizing the sensitivity of exporting lethal weapons.
At the same time, Tokyo aims to increase its own reserves to deter aggressive actions by China and nuclear threats from North Korea.
Japan’s aid to Ukraine
Japan has consistently supported Ukraine in its resistance against Russian aggression. Earlier reports indicated that Tokyo plans to join the PURL initiative (Partnership for Ukraine’s Recovery and Resilience), highlighting a long-term strategy to support Kyiv.
The Japanese government has also announced $6 billion in financial assistance aimed at stabilizing the economy and addressing social needs.
Beyond financial support, Japan actively assists in critical areas. In particular, the country provides support for energy and demining efforts, supplying specialized equipment and machinery to help restore damaged infrastructure.
