Japan to expand security assistance to 12 nations

Japan plans to expand its Official Security Assistance program to include at least 12 like-minded countries for the 2026 fiscal year, an increase from the eight countries supported previously. The government has allocated approximately 18.1 billion yen (about $114 million) for the program ending in March 2027, more than doubling the roughly 8 billion yen allocated for the 2025 fiscal year.

As part of its effort to strengthen maritime security and surveillance amid China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, Kenya is expected to be among the first recipients. Other nations under consideration include the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and Palau. Japan is also working with Australia to assist Fiji in constructing military facilities.

The assistance will focus on defense equipment and supplies, though it will exclude weapons defined under Japanese law as intended to kill or destroy. Historically, Japan has provided dual-use equipment such as patrol boats and coastal surveillance radar systems. The government aims to use this program to also support the expansion of the Japanese defense industry overseas.