The Japanese Cabinet on Friday approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget of 122.3 trillion yen ($782 billion) will include more than 9 trillion yen for defense, setting an all-time record.
It comes as Tokyo looks to strengthen its coastal defenses in the face of rising tensions in the region, while doubling its spending on arms to 2% of its GDP.
The draft budget for 2026, which will officially begin in April and still needs parliament’s approval, is 9.4% higher than 2025.
Why is Japan increasing its defense budget?
The Japanese government promised to reach its 2% target by March, two years earlier than planned, due to pressure from its ally the US.
A Japanese Defense Ministry briefing document said Tokyo “faces the most serious and complex security environment” since the end of World War II, adding the conditions required it to “fundamentally strengthen” its defense capabilities.
Due to Japan’s struggles in deploying its military, the country considers unmanned weapons essential to its defense efforts, with drones playing a key role.
To ensure quick arms purchases, Tokyo likely plans to rely on imports from allies Türkiye or Israel.
tension with china
The backdrop of the country’s arms race is the risk of China taking military action against Taiwan, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takachi saying Tokyo could intervene if Beijing’s statements about imposing its rule on the self-ruled island are successful.
Earlier this month, Chinese aircraft carrier military exercises near the southwestern part of Japan resulted in protests after a Chinese jet locked its radar on a Japanese jet in what is believed to be possible preparation for firing.
Tokyo’s current defense strategy from 2022 describes China as the country’s biggest strategic challenge.
Edited by: Farah Bhagat