Japan Uses AI for Military Purposes, Media Criticizes It May Violate "Self-Defense" Principle

The Japanese Ministry of Defense recently submitted a defense budget request for the fiscal year 2027, which has reached a historic high. Among the key focuses of the budget request is the promotion of the militarization of artificial intelligence (AI). On the 5th, Japan pointed out that the government's use of artificial intelligence for military purposes may involve "excessive use of force," which contradicts Japan's principle of "defensive defense."

According to recent news from Japan, the Ministry of Defense will develop satellites equipped with AI systems to quickly process information from other satellites in space and relay it back to the ground, assisting in accelerating decision-making speed. It is understood that this will enhance the operational capabilities of long-range missiles and improve what is referred to as "counterstrike capability."

The Japanese newspaper "Tokyo Shimbun" published an editorial on the 5th, pointing out that the U.S. strikes against Iran and Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have utilized artificial intelligence for target identification and positioning. However, AI can make erroneous judgments. Earlier reports indicated that errors in the U.S. military's AI system's positioning may have led to the bombing of the Mina'ab Primary School in Iran, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

The article states that the principle of "defensive defense" means that self-defense can only be exercised in response to an armed attack from the other party, and only to the "minimum extent" necessary. However, introducing AI to locate targets and launching large-scale missile attacks against the other party cannot be considered "minimum extent." Allowing a country to risk violating international law by attacking civilians is absolutely unacceptable.