Indo-Pacific defense dynamics, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly initiated discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over two of the most ambitious military programs of his administration: the Golden Dome missile defense shield and the next-generation F-47 fighter aircraft.
The revelations, initially reported by Nikkei Asia, underscore Washington’s intent to deepen strategic cooperation with Tokyo at a time when regional tensions are escalating, driven by increasingly aggressive postures from China, North Korea, and Russia. While the discussions remain in nascent stages, they reflect a broader vision of a tightly integrated missile defense and aerial superiority network in the Indo-Pacific, backed by advanced U.S. military hardware and allied support.
President Trump first unveiled the “Golden Dome” initiative in May 2025, portraying it as an impenetrable missile defense shield that would protect the continental U.S. and its allies from ballistic and hypersonic threats. The plan calls for the creation of a multi-layered, space-based interceptor system designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming missiles at various stages of their trajectory.
Trump pegged the cost of the program at $175 billion, with an ambitious operational deadline set for 2029. But critics and defense analysts were quick to cast doubt over the feasibility and budgeting of the program. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), for instance, has projected that developing and maintaining such a network over two decades could cost as much as $542 billion.
Faced with the reality of budget overruns and technological uncertainties, Trump appears to be pivoting toward cost-sharing strategies with strategic allies. Japan, with its long history of collaboration on missile defense technologies and strong technical capabilities, emerged as a natural partner.
According to the Nikkei report, Trump and Ishiba discussed potential cooperation during a phone call in May 2025. While exact details remain undisclosed, insiders suggest that discussions focused on R&D contributions, interceptor co-development, and potentially co-hosting Golden Dome infrastructure on Japanese soil.
“Japan has demonstrated substantial capability in developing interceptors,” said Hiroshi Tanaka, a defense analyst at the Tokyo Institute of International Security. “Their participation could significantly reduce development costs and provide strategic depth to the Golden Dome network.”
For Japan, the Golden Dome initiative may present more than just a military advantage. Under threat from regional adversaries with rapidly expanding missile programs, particularly North Korea and China, Tokyo sees value in strengthening its defenses with U.S.-led initiatives. Furthermore, Japan has historically co-developed missile defense systems with the U.S., including the Standard Missile-3 and the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).
But beyond defense, Japan’s potential involvement in the Golden Dome could serve as leverage in contentious trade talks with Washington. Trump’s protectionist trade agenda has hit Japan hard, particularly with the imposition of a 25% tariff on automobiles and 50% on aluminum and steel imports.
In a bid to ease tensions, Prime Minister Ishiba is believed to be exploring avenues for deeper military-industrial cooperation with the U.S. In particular, Japan is considering expanding its purchases of American military hardware and offering Japanese shipyards to help repair and refit U.S. warships deployed in the Pacific.
“The Golden Dome could be a multifaceted bargaining chip,” said Akiko Sato, a policy advisor at the Japan Business Federation. “Participation allows Japan to demonstrate its strategic value while possibly negotiating favorable trade terms.”
While Trump has expressed enthusiasm for Canadian participation in the Golden Dome, his messaging has been, as usual, controversial. In a Truth Social post dated May 29, Trump suggested that Canada would need to pay $61 billion to join the system as a separate nation, but would pay “zero dollars” if it agreed to become the 51st U.S. state.
“They are considering the offer,” Trump claimed, a statement that sparked outrage and ridicule in Canadian media and political circles. Though likely rhetorical, the comment may have cooled Canadian enthusiasm for the project.
This outburst has made Japan a more dependable and pragmatic partner in Trump’s Golden Dome vision.
While the Golden Dome seeks to revolutionize missile defense, Trump is also looking skyward with the F-47—a next-generation stealth fighter jet based on the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform.
During a call with Prime Minister Ishiba on May 23, Trump floated the idea of Japan purchasing the new fighter. In his signature style, he praised the F-47’s aesthetics and capabilities, even suggesting that the number “47” had a “nice ring to it.”
While the discussion lacked formal structure, sources close to the Japanese administration confirmed that Trump expressed willingness to provide Japan with an export version of the F-47, albeit one with slightly downgraded specifications.
“We’d like to tone them down about 10 percent,” Trump said during an earlier presser, referring to potential exports. “Because someday, maybe they’re not our allies, right?”
Despite the flippant tone, the offer is being taken seriously in Tokyo.
Japan is currently co-developing the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a sixth-generation fighter initiative alongside Italy and the UK. Scheduled for rollout in 2035, the program is now facing skepticism within Japanese defense circles over potential delays and escalating costs.
Reuters recently reported growing concern within the Japanese defense ministry that GCAP may not meet its 2035 timeline, which could create a capability gap as regional rivals, particularly China, surge ahead with their own sixth-gen prototypes.
China’s J-36 and J-50 fighter programs are reportedly undergoing rapid testing, with analysts speculating an operational entry as early as 2030. Should this happen, Japan would find itself technologically outpaced.
“If the GCAP misses its target, Japan will be vulnerable,” said Masato Uchida, a retired JASDF general. “The F-47 may offer a stopgap or even a long-term solution.”
Adding to this, a recent infographic posted by U.S. Air Force Chief General David Allvin on X indicated that the F-47 could become operational as early as 2025, with full deployment expected by 2029—years ahead of the GCAP.
Since World War II, Japan has consistently procured American fighter jets, including the F-15, F-16, and most recently, the F-35. This procurement history, along with U.S.-Japan defense treaties, has built a strong foundation of interoperability.
The F-47, with its advanced avionics, AI-assisted combat systems, and unmatched stealth capabilities, could significantly bolster Japan’s aerial defense. More importantly, it would ensure continued alignment with U.S. operational doctrines and tactics.
However, Tokyo must weigh the political, economic, and technological implications of deviating from the GCAP.
“If Japan buys the F-47, it may undermine the GCAP, strain relations with Europe, and raise questions about Tokyo’s strategic autonomy,” said Dr. Naomi Fukushima, a scholar of defense policy at Keio University.
Yet, in the face of Chinese assertiveness and Trump’s aggressive defense exports, the F-47 may be too timely and too strategically valuable to ignore.
With Trump eyeing re-election and promising massive defense investments, the Golden Dome and F-47 programs could form the centerpiece of his Indo-Pacific strategy. For Japan, the opportunity to align more closely with the U.S. could bolster both national security and trade diplomacy.
Still, significant questions remain. Can Trump’s administration build consensus in Congress for the Golden Dome budget? Will Japan risk undermining its European ties by embracing the F-47? And how will China and other regional actors respond to what they may perceive as U.S.-Japan military escalation?
