July 10, 2026

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Daimon Mikishi on July 8 opposed the introduction of an AI system developed by Palantir Technologies which is reportedly under consideration by the Self-Defense Forces.

The U.S.-based firm has developed an AI command-and-control system capable of mass slaughter. The system can identify targets and carry out attacks and killings in a short period of time.

Speaking at a House of Councillors committee meeting, JCP Daimon pointed out that introducing this system would place the SDF under the U.S. military chain of command. He added that there is a real risk of the SDF becoming involved in preemptive strikes as AI does not recognize the concept of “exclusive defense”.

The Defense Ministry’s basic guidelines for AI utilization state that Japan shall not develop fully autonomous lethal weapons that operate without human involvement. Given this guideline, Daimon argued that it is out of the question for the SDF to enter into a contract with Palantir Technologies.

In response, a senior official at the Ministry of Defense said, “It is important to promote AI activities so that Japan and the U.S. can cooperate closely and respond jointly.” While noting that “no decision has been made as to whether to introduce the system,” he did not rule out the possibility.

Daimon pointed out that the U.K., Germany, and France, all U.S. allies like Japan, had initially signed contracts with this munitions firm but terminated them due to concerns that the system would interfere with their own command and control systems. He demanded that Japan also stop considering the introduction of such a system.