lol well, that was how Japan was like, but since the 90s and 2000s, started moving to privatizing various public industries. rail, post office, etc. Although for rail, they realized that keeping it strictly private sector in some areas, would create problems for many rural areas as they'd simply abandon it due to loss of profits, so they ended up forming third sector companies that are mixed ownership.
Perhaps some kind of solution (if not already?) to the defense sector is needed. But I suspect that they already do receive some sizeable subsidy to continue making products for military use.
I've checked the detailed reports using Google Translate and Gemini, and the results are somewhat different from what the news implies. The news makes it sound like they just recently discovered these problems and are scrambling to fix them. But actually, this report summarizes all issues and fixes related to the P-1 up to now, and some aren't even problems with the P-1 itself.
The issue with electronic device A mentioned in the news was found in 2018. It was modified in 2019, and simultaneously, they found it was prone to water seepage, so they sealed the problematic seams.
The report also states that weapons B, C, D, E contributed to the aircraft's low readiness. Weapons B and C had electrical signal issues, while weapons D and E had connection parts that were too short. The problems with B and C were resolved by software modifications, and the connection parts for D and E were completely replaced in 2022.
The P-1's engine problem is complex. Because the P-1 operates at low altitudes over the sea for extended periods, the engines are corroded by salt from the sea wind. After discovering engine corrosion in 2021, they asked IHI to change the material, and new engines passed corrosion tests under new conditions in November 2022. However, the problem reoccurred in 2025. Then, the Japanese Ministry of Defense made an astonishing discovery: for 12 years, they had never washed the P-1 engines with fresh water. One reason mentioned in the report was, "requiring the engines to be washed is a heavy workload for ground crew." Regardless, they now believe the engine's corrosion is highly related to not using fresh water for cleaning, so starting in 2025, they are requiring ground crew to regularly wash the P-1 engines.
