Japan in September 2026: the most important developments in security
In September 2026, Japan's security news was dominated by the loss of a Global Hawk surveillance drone. The Self-Defense Forces drone lost communications over the Sea of Japan on September 15 and was presumed crashed; the Air Self-Defense Force confirmed on September 16 that it went down off Tottori Prefecture, and part of the wreckage was recovered on September 20. The cause was not disclosed. Separately, reports said infected USB drives used by the defense forces had been procured improperly.
The month also brought defense planning steps. Japan was reported to be considering raising defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP after US pressure, and a target of 52,000 unmanned systems in its five-year buildup. It plans a state investment fund for defense startups focused on drones and a centre for producing and basing naval drones. After the Okinawa election on September 14, the government moved to speed up its military buildup in the southwest. A powerful US missile system is to be stored at Kadena Air Base. Prime Minister Takaichi launched a panel on September 28 to study creating a centralized intelligence agency, and on September 29 the defense minister again raised the question of Japan's nuclear policy; no change was announced.
In the region, Japan, the United States and South Korea began a joint exercise on September 8, and North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward its east coast on September 20. Russia said it does not believe Japan's promises to remove US missiles after joint drills.
At home, spray released at two Osaka schools on September 16 left 48 people reporting they felt unwell, and Japan planned to deploy 10,000 police officers for the opening of the Asian Games.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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