• Japan's defense ministry received 291 applications from universities for research funding.
• 19 universities were selected for the security technology research promotion program.
• The number of applications more than doubled from last year.
• Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi welcomes the shift in academic community's views on defense sector.

This surge in applications may indicate a significant shift in Japan's academic community's willingness to engage with the defense sector, which could lead to increased collaboration and innovation in defense technology. The development suggests a growing recognition of the importance of defense research and its potential applications, which could have implications for Japan's national security strategy.