• Rakuten is brokering Helsing's HX-2 drones for Japan's GSDF.
• The HX-2 is a GPS-denied loitering munition with a 100 km range.
• Japan's arms export reform allows civilian companies to participate in defense procurement.
• GSDF field trials are underway, with results expected by September 2026.

This partnership may indicate Japan's growing interest in leveraging civilian tech companies for defense innovation, which could signal a shift in the country's military procurement strategy. The success of the HX-2 trial suggests that Japan may be open to adopting foreign-made defense systems, potentially altering the competitive landscape for defense contractors.