Japan prepares to freeze China out of its drone supply chain due to security concerns

The decision, which could come into effect next year, arises from concerns about information technology, supply chains, cybersecurity and intellectual property

Domestic drone makers expect to benefit from the changes, as they mean government ministries will most likely do their drone shopping at home

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A Japanese surveillance drone flies over the disputed islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China. Photo: AP

Published: 12:36pm, 30 Oct 2020Updated: 10:20pm, 30 Oct 2020

Japan may effectively shut off China from supplying drones to its government to protect sensitive information, according to six people in government and the ruling party familiar with the matter, as part of a broad effort to bolster national security.

The primary concerns, those people said, centred on information technology, supply chains, cybersecurity and intellectual property – worries that have been rising outside Japan as well.

But Japan must balance such fears – particularly Beijing’s growing push to export sensitive technologies such as commercial drones and security cameras – against deep economic dependence on China.

It must also navigate increasingly choppy waters between China and Japan’s closest ally, the United States, which is at odds with Beijing over many things, including technology.

“China is a big market and it is important for Japan,” one of the senior government officials said. “On the other hand, there are worries that advanced technologies and information could leak to China and could be diverted for military use.”

The defence ministry has several hundred drones, including some made by Chinese companies; the coastguard has about 30, and most are Chinese. Both said they were not using Chinese drones for security-related issues. Other government entities also use such drones.