Trump Proposes Japan Join His ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield Vision

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly reached out to Japan for support in a new missile defense initiative known as the “Golden Dome.” According to recent reports, Trump spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba earlier this month, discussing the possibility of Tokyo joining the project to develop advanced missile interception technologies.

The Golden Dome is envisioned as a vast, high-tech missile shield designed to protect the United States and its allies from long-range missile threats, particularly from countries like China, North Korea, and Iran. Trump revealed that he has chosen a final design for the system, which is projected to cost around $175 billion. He has placed U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein in charge of the program and is pushing for its completion by the end of his potential second presidential term in 2029.

While the system is still in the conceptual phase, it is already drawing comparisons to the Israeli Iron Dome, albeit on a much larger, more advanced, and space-integrated scale. The project aims to create a defensive umbrella using a combination of land-based, sea-based, and space-based missile interceptors capable of shooting down ballistic and hypersonic missiles during various stages of flight — including when they are still in space.

Japan’s possible involvement in the Golden Dome project could be significant. The two countries have a long history of cooperation on missile defense, including the development of the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor — a missile designed to destroy incoming warheads in space. By partnering on the Golden Dome, Japan could both enhance its own national defense and gain leverage in ongoing trade and security negotiations with Washington.

From the U.S. side, bringing in Japan would add both technical expertise and financial support, potentially helping to reduce the long-term costs of the system. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimates that the full cost of the Golden Dome project could rise to an eye-watering $831 billion over the next two decades.

The report also suggests that beyond security, this cooperation could help cement stronger economic ties, as joint defense production and technology sharing often create long-term industrial and diplomatic bonds.

While details remain limited, the Golden Dome proposal marks an ambitious step in missile defense planning — one that not only aims to reshape how the U.S. handles aerial threats but also how it aligns with its closest allies in Asia.