Japan's military buildup must accelerate to match global threats
- The Japanese government has approved a draft budget that allocates a record amount, with defense spending rising for the 13th consecutive year.
- Japan aims to elevate its military expenditure to account for 2% of GDP by fiscal 2027 in light of escalating threats from regional adversaries.
- This military buildup is part of Japan’s strategy to enhance national security and strengthen alliances, primarily with the United States.
Japan has approved a record draft budget for the next fiscal year, which totals 115.5 trillion yen ($730 billion). This budget marks a 2.6% increase from the previous year and allocates 7.5% to defense spending, approximately $55 billion. This decision comes in response to increasing regional threats, particularly from China and North Korea. The Japanese government has indicated plans to boost defense budget allocations to 2% of its GDP by fiscal 2027, with the current GDP calculated at approximately $4.213 trillion. The situation is further complicated by upcoming collaborations with the United States, highlighting joint operations for a potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. military reportedly is preparing to establish temporary missile bases in Japan. Japan reinforces its stance by focusing on the improvement of its military capabilities, highlighting the creation of satellite systems and investment in long-range missiles to enhance its defensive posture against adversarial actions. Over the years, Japan has shown a commitment to defense spending with 13 consecutive years of budget increases to counter threats from regional rivals. Their recent defense strategy includes a focus on the defense of the Senkaku Islands and broader security cooperation with allies like South Korea. The trilateral security relationship has been deemed crucial to counteracting the assertive military postures of China and North Korea in the region. Japan recognizes the urgency of escalating its military capabilities, given the aggressive military developments by China. The Prime Minister has long supported creating a regional security coalition similar to NATO, reflecting concerns about evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The proposed increases in defense spending and military capabilities are viewed as essential steps toward bolstering Japan's security amid a more complex strategic threat landscape, embodying a shift in Japan’s defense policy towards a more proactive military approach.