U.S.- Japan Defense Industry Conference

Japan and the U.S. signed a mutual defense treaty in 1952. The treaty formed the foundation for the mutually beneficial, bilateral security partnership that served both nations’ security interests admirably throughout both the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. But global and regional security environments became considerably less stable and predictable in recent years. Russia is less respectful of sea and air boundaries of its neighbors, and China is aggressively challenging claims by Japan and other states to several South China Sea island chains. U.S. and Japanese defense establishments must react to Russian and Chinese threats by adopting a more effective approach to defense acquisition; 20th century planning and acquisition practices are no longer adequate. This fact prompted both capitals to adopt four recent policy and institutional developments that form the framework for closer industry cooperation:

• expanded scope for Allied defense operations under revised Guidelines for Defense Cooperation,
• engagement on a broader range of acquisition interests under a restructured Systems & Technology Forum,
• new JMOD industrial and technology  base strategy that emphasizes importance of international collaboration, and
• revised Japan defense export policy that will facilitate Japanese industry participation in international programs.

NDIA and SJAC have actively engaged one another over the past two years. Their engagement began with study dialogues and grew to the May 3rd defense industry conference. The associations understand the imperative to establish and sustain a vibrant two-way flow of information. They recognize the need to focus their collective attention on: identifying functional obstacles to industrial partnering, exploring jointly what can be done to remove those obstacles, and supporting their respective governments and industries.  The long term objective is a renaissance in how the two nations’ defense industries work together, something that was inhibited until the GOJ revised its Arms Export Policy in April 2014.

This non-attribution conference will update participants about: Japan and U.S. security partnership, evolving national defense acquisition management and export control policies as briefed by the U.S. and Japan defense acquisition executives, successful Japan-U.S. defense company collaboration, and how other countries and companies successfully penetrate the U.S. defense market. 

The U.S and Japan share many values and interests. The U.S. and Japan account for 40% of global research and development investment; both countries commit substantial resources to the creation and application of new knowledge and technology. Their defense industries value R&D as the primary driver of innovation, product development, and future revenues. That R&D and defense industrial infrastructure can be leveraged in ways that deliver both performance and reduced ownership costs. There is, however, a need for closer linkage between government and industry, supplemented by industry teaming and partnering arrangements among large, medium, and small companies, both domestic and allied. While there have been major successes, all players must do better in this period of fiscal challenge and competing demands. Industry and government participants will benefit from engaging with the best minds in the Japan and U.S. defense communities as they explore current needs and exchange views about how industry can satisfy those needs through enhanced cooperation.