Japan will provide defense equipment to eight countries in fiscal year 2025 under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, according to sources from the Foreign Ministry.
The countries identified to receive the aid are Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Tonga. Agreements are expected to be signed beginning this autumn.
This marks an increase from four recipient nations in the previous fiscal year. The expanded list comes as Japan follows recent developments in the East and South China Seas, as well as broader changes in security dynamics across Pacific island states, including the 2022 security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands.
Under the upcoming assistance framework, Japan is expected to deliver surveillance and transport drones, heavy equipment for disaster relief, and large naval vessels. The support aims to strengthen the recipient countries’ security and emergency response capacities.
Established in 2023, the OSA program operates alongside Japan’s long-running Official Development Assistance (ODA), which focuses on non-military aid. The OSA initiative is designed to support countries that maintain cooperative ties with Japan and adhere to shared principles, such as the rule of law.
