Japan is seeking to bolster its defense capabilities in the face of “the most severe” security environment since the end of World War II.
The Japanese Cabinet on Friday approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The 122.3-trillion-yen ($782 billion) budget will include more than 9 trillion yen for defense, setting an all-time record.
This comes as Tokyo looks to strengthen its coastal defense due to the rising tensions in the region, while seeking to double its spending on weapons to 2% of its gross domestic product.
The draft budget for 2026, which will officially begin in April and still requires the parliament’s approval, is up 9.4% from 2025.
Why is Japan increasing its defense budget?
The Japanese government pledged to reach its 2% goal by March, two years earlier than planned, also due to pressure from its ally the US.
A briefing document by the Japanese Defense Ministry states that Tokyo “faces the most severe and complex security environment” since the end of the Second World War, adding the situations required to “fundamentally strengthen” its defense capabilities.
Due to Japan’s struggles with manning its military, the country sees unmanned weapons as essential to its defense efforts, with drones playing a vital role.
To ensure quick weapons procurement, Tokyo plans on relying on imports, potentially from allies Turkey or Israel.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/japan-cabinet-approves-record-defense-budget-to-deter-china/a-75307361
