Japan’s university defence bids surge as post-war taboo fades amid China concerns

What happened: Japanese universities and other educational institutions more than doubled their applications for defence ministry research funding this year, reaching a record 291. Key numbers: 291 applications this year, up from 123 last year. Total ministry applications hit a record 560, up from 340, with education institutions accounting for more than half. Why it matters: The surge is described as the clearest sign yet that academia's decades-long resistance to military-linked work is diminishing as Tokyo moves to strengthen its defence capabilities.

Japanese universities and other educational institutions more than doubled their applications for defence ministry research funding this year, reaching a record 291.

The surge is described as the clearest sign yet that academia's decades-long resistance to military-linked work is diminishing as Tokyo moves to strengthen its defence capabilities.