Japan said to consider acquiring Israeli Heron 2 military drone

The Japanese military is reportedly interested in purchasing the Israeli Heron-2 drone from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Although located on opposite ends of Asia, Japan and Israel are both Western-oriented democracies facing complex security challenges in their respective regions.

Japan has traditionally imported most of its military technology from the United States and, for many years, limited trade with Israel due to the formal Arab boycott.

However, the 2020 Abraham Accords strengthened ties between Israel and the Arab world, effectively ending most of the once-potent boycott. Like Israel, Japan also has a thriving domestic defense industry.

There are now signs that Tokyo’s interest in Israeli military technologies is growing. A Heron-2 drone was recently photographed at a Japanese airport with its Israeli registration number and stickers from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the Japanese firm that has an agreement with IAI. Japan’s increased investment in military capabilities is driven in part by concerns over China’s expanding influence, which Tokyo views as a potential threat.

Japan’s growing interest in drones is partly driven by its lack of manpower, a result of a rapidly aging population and declining birth rates. The medium-sized Heron-2, for example, reportedly played a role in Israel’s Operation Rising Lion offensive against Iran’s military and nuclear assets in June.

The Japanese military is currently assessing various drones on the international market, including the Turkish-made Bayraktar. Israeli models offer the advantage of high quality and proven battlefield performance. If Tokyo ultimately selects the Israeli Heron-2, it will likely be produced locally by Kawasaki.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe both advocated for stronger bilateral commercial and technological relations between Japan and Israel. 

Following the assassination of Abe in 2022, Israel hailed the late Japanese leader as a friend of the Jewish state. 

“Israel bows its head and mourns the loss of Abe together with the people of Japan,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid stated at the time. 

“Abe was one of the most important leaders of modern Japan, and a true friend of Israel who brought about flourishing and prosperous relations between Israel and Japan. His heinous murder will not change his distinguished legacy," Lapid added.

The current Japanese government has maintained solid relations with Israel and backed it following the Hamas-led massacres on Oct. 7, 2023. 

However, as in many countries worldwide, there have also been some anti-Israel incidents in Japan amid the ongoing war in Gaza. In April, a hotel in the Japanese city of Kyoto forced an Israeli tourist to sign a “war crime” declaration.

The Israeli tourists argued that such demand was absurd and discriminatory. However, the hotel management explained its policy:

"I don't think it is ridiculous. It is mandatory to serve in the army in your country. Since Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in October 2023, we do not know who may have been involved, as young Israelis are required to serve in the army," the hotel manager argued. 

The Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen condemned the incident:

"There is and will be no place for discrimination against Israelis, not in Japan and not anywhere else. Japanese authorities have zero tolerance for such cases and have previously taken firm action in a similar incident at another hotel in Kyoto. We will continue to stay vigilant at the embassy and ensure that Israeli tourists can continue to enjoy the Land of the Rising Sun."

In August 2024, the Israeli ambassador in Japan was disinvited from Nagasaki’s ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of the nuclear bomb detonation by the United States in the Japanese city.