Imperatives for International Cooperation

One of the most salient features of COVID-19 is the impact on defense budgets at a time of rising threats from state and non-state actors. The confluence of these two phenomena is driving a renewed imperative to work with foreign partners to secure near, medium and long-term security.

The U.S.-Japan Alliance has been the cornerstone of its national security for 60 years. This relationship is growing in response to external threats, socio-economic changes and political considerations. Both sides are working to improve collaboration in parallel with Japan’s defense cooperation agreements with NATO and ASEAN countries.

Japan also has a “special relationship” with the UK, forged by historical commercial and military ties that inform current negotiations for a new trade agreement. As two island democracies on the east and west coasts of Eurasia, their defense communities are poised to collaborate on a wide range of projects.

How can Japanese industry partner with international companies? Why have efforts failed to sell defense equipment abroad? High costs are problematic as are regulatory and organizational challenges, export restrictions, security accreditation and information transfer, among other obstacles. A key question is if Japan can harmonize efforts with those of preferred partners.

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