Japanese companies NEC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen Tokyo’s defense sector and advance data and AI sovereignty.
The collaboration will cover operational planning, command-and-control, unmanned systems, and cloud technologies, with a focus on developing architectures that connect military platforms with data-driven services.
NEC will contribute its expertise in information technology, communications and data management, while MHI will bring its experience in defense and aerospace systems.
According to NEC, the agreement reflects the need for Japan’s defense industry to adapt more quickly to emerging forms of warfare.
By coordinating more closely, the companies aim to accelerate equipment upgrades and respond more effectively to the growing adoption of autonomous and AI-supported technologies.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP
AI In Japan
The partnership comes as Japan seeks to modernize its Self-Defense Forces and expand the domestic industrial capacity needed to develop and maintain increasingly networked and autonomous military systems.
In March, Fujitsu launched an initiative to expand Japan’s domestically developed AI capabilities for defense.
Commissioned by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, the program is examining how AI could assist commanders with operational planning and battlefield analysis.
Research will focus on systems that coordinate multiple AI agents to collect and assess information before producing recommendations.
Fujitsu said the technology could accelerate decision-making, strengthen intelligence analysis and ease personnel workloads.
Japanese startups and technology companies will also participate, including firms developing solutions with both military and civilian applications.