Japan could build a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, but doing so would be costly and could take years as Tokyo tries to reduce its reliance on a strategic rival, analysts have said.
The debate gained urgency after Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi last week said Tokyo should consider creating a “China-free” supply chain for defence equipment, following Beijing’s ban on exports of dual-use items to Japan.
Speaking during a Lower House Budget Committee session, Koizumi said reducing reliance on Chinese exports was important.
Koizumi citied his observations from a recent visit to Los Angeles, saying American drone companies did not use parts manufactured in China, and noting the importance of boosting “self-reliance”.
Grant Newsham, a senior research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, said a “China-free” supply chain was feasible as the Japanese government was better able to influence the behaviour of private companies.
“If the ‘will’ exists and the shift is done with a focus on specific key equipment and hardware … relatively fast progress is possible. This can have a snowball effect,” Newsham said.
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