On November 17, the Japanese government announced its intention to double its total investment in science and technology development to 60 trillion yen over the next five years, starting from fiscal 2026. Minister of Science and Technology Policy, Norihiro Onoda, communicated the urgency of this ambitious target, citing concerns over Japan’s declining research capabilities and rising costs. This declaration comes as part of the ongoing formulation of the "Seventh Basic Plan for Science and Technology and Innovation," which is set to be finalized and brought to the cabinet for approval within the month.

Previously, from 2021 to 2025, the government had set a goal of 30 trillion yen under the current "Sixth Phase" of the plan. However, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasizing a vision for Japan as a 'New Technological Nation,' the actual budget expenditure for this period exceeded 43 trillion yen. The newly proposed plan will notably include collaboration between science and technology and national security, explicitly promoting dual-use research for both civilian and military applications. Additionally, the government announced on the same day that it will prioritize the research and development of areas critical to the defense industry, which includes the automation and autonomy of aircraft.

There have been strong urging from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for increased funding, which has prompted the government to not only rely on the usual budget allocations but also to leverage fiscal investment and promote corporate investment in research and development through tax measures. This strategy aims to meet the ambitious goal of doubling government investment, highlighting a significant shift towards integrating science and technology development with national security measures in Japan, amidst rising global tensions and the need for advanced technological capacities.