Japan is moving closer to deploying directed-energy weapons at sea, as a Japanese defense agency has confirmed that a high-energy laser system capable of shooting down drones is being installed on a naval vessel for future trials. The development marks a significant step in Tokyo’s effort to modernize its maritime defenses amid a rapidly deteriorating security environment in East Asia.
A laser weapon is a form of directed-energy system that uses concentrated energy rather than conventional shells or missiles to disable or destroy targets. Because it does not rely on physical ammunition, the cost per shot is significantly lower, and firing capacity is effectively limited only by power generation and cooling. These attributes have made laser weapons increasingly attractive for defending ships against swarms of drones and other low-cost aerial threats, a challenge highlighted by recent U.S. naval operations in the Red Sea against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Photos shared on X on December 3 show what appears to be a prototype laser weapon mounted on JS Asuka, a test ship operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Japanese Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) confirmed that the system shown is a 100-kilowatt-class high-energy laser currently under research and development. According to ATLA, the weapon is being prepared for installation on the Asuka to conduct at-sea illumination and performance tests in the future.
The system appears identical to a laser weapon previously revealed by ATLA in 2023, when the agency released footage demonstrating its potential to disable mortar shells and unmanned aerial vehicles. ATLA said the laser has already undergone land-based trials, successfully igniting a mortar shell and shooting down a small drone, demonstrating its basic effectiveness against aerial threats.
ATLA, which operates under Japan’s Ministry of Defense, is tasked with maintaining the country’s technological edge and delivering advanced equipment to the Self-Defense Forces in what it describes as an “increasingly severe security environment.” That environment has been shaped largely by China’s expanding military power and more assertive regional posture.
Japan’s push to develop shipborne laser weapons and other advanced systems comes as Beijing continues to showcase its growing military capabilities, including during a major parade held in September. Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have also worsened sharply in recent months following remarks by Japanese officials suggesting the possibility of military involvement should China attempt to blockade Taiwan.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Japan’s laser weapon development.
Defense outlet Naval News reported that the laser installed on the Asuka could be evaluated across a wide range of criteria, including destructive power, continuous engagement capability, target acquisition and tracking, sensor integration, and overall operational performance in a maritime environment.
Japan’s efforts are unfolding alongside similar developments by its closest ally. The U.S. Navy has forward-deployed the laser-armed destroyer USS Preble to Japan since October 2024. The ship is equipped with a 60-kilowatt High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system, designed to counter drones and fast-attack craft.
Despite their promise, laser weapons still face notable operational limitations. Defense outlet The War Zone has noted that such systems generally engage only one target at a time and require sustained focus on a target for several seconds to achieve an effect. Their effective range can be limited, atmospheric conditions such as rain or fog can degrade performance, and the sensitive components require significant hardening for sustained military use.
As Naval News observed, Japan’s Ministry of Defense views high-energy lasers as a low-cost interceptor option compared with traditional air-defense missiles, particularly for point defense against drones. However, whether Japan will eventually deploy laser systems across its frontline naval vessels to counter China’s increasingly sophisticated ship-sinking capabilities remains an open question.
