Japanese Defense Industry

Japan's defense industrial base operates under the oversight of the Japan Defense Agency (now Ministry of Defense) with tight export controls under the Three Principles on Arms Exports (relaxed in 2014 with the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology). Key companies include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (F-2, Type 10 MBT, Soryu submarines), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, C-2 transport, submarines), Japan Marine United (destroyers, submarines), Toshiba (torpedoes, sensors), Howa Industries (Howa Type 89/20 rifles, Browning license M2), and Japan Steel Works (vehicle armor, naval guns). Japan is shifting from licensed production to indigenous development with programs like F-X (F-3) stealth fighter, standoff missiles, and drone warships.