Tokyo: Japan has prepared to inform the United States that it intends to participate in the Golden Dome missile defence programme, according to government sources familiar with the matter.
The announcement is expected to be made when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets US President Donald Trump in Washington on March 19 during a leaders’ summit. Japanese officials have indicated that the country could contribute to missile production under the Golden Dome initiative as global conflicts increase demand for military equipment.
The project, introduced by the United States administration last year, aims to expand existing missile defence systems and develop additional technologies capable of detecting and intercepting threats. The Golden Dome concept includes strengthening ground based interceptor systems and introducing experimental space based technologies designed to identify and track missiles from orbit.
Despite the ambitious timeline targeting implementation by 2028, the programme has shown limited visible progress so far. Details regarding Japan’s specific role in the initiative have also remained unclear.
Japanese media reports have suggested that Tokyo views the Golden Dome system as a potential defence against advanced hypersonic glide weapons currently being developed by China and Russia.
Sources have also said Washington could request Japan to help produce or co-develop missiles as United States stockpiles have been depleted by ongoing conflicts. These include military operations involving Iran as well as continuing support for Ukraine.
Japan has already taken steps to support US defence supply chains. Last year the country exported a batch of Patriot surface to air missiles produced under licence to the United States. The shipment marked a significant shift in Japan’s long standing restrictions on exporting lethal weapons.
The United States government has urged defence manufacturers to increase production of missiles and other military equipment that have been heavily used in recent conflicts.
At the same time, Japan has been strengthening its own defence capabilities in response to growing regional security concerns. Officials have pointed to China’s expanding military activities and North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes as key factors influencing defence planning.
Patriot missile interceptors have played a significant role in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles and drones targeting Gulf countries since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran earlier this month. Ukraine has also relied on Patriot defence systems to protect its energy infrastructure and military facilities since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.
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