Cabinet approves biggest defense budget

Defense or attack budget? Who we gonna kill?

The military-industrial complex and the politicians' fault.

At the same time Hokkaido University is saying to us that it will reduce by 14% its research and teaching staff because of serious financial problems caused by the reduction of the government fundings to universities. The majority of so-called public universities are doing the same type of staff reduction.

This puts into perspective the true priorities of the old boys leading this country.

HonestD-

Abe has been chomping at the bit to do this for decades - way before the current tensions. It's no secret, he has espoused such.

Now with a 2/3s majority he can literally do whatever he wants and he is undertaking such.

As Serrano mentioned - The military-politico-industrial complex have just gleefully moved into 2nd gear, emboldened with the future promise of untold billions.

The imminent threat of baddies is a thin veil for the masses.

Should be more.

Honest D - re naivety and people opposing record defense spending to the tune of $40+billion per year.

Japan already has the 8th largest military in the world.

Japan already has the 6th largest military budget in the world.

Japan already ranks 7th in the world Miltary Power Index

And if you figure in the US military umbrella & stationed-in-Japan forces then one could easily imagine these rankings would increase substantially.

So the question becomes - How much is enough? Are we so much "safer" next year than now because Military Inc spends $billions more? Is there a limit to spending? Will just one more aircraft, naval vessel, weapons cache be enough?

With the current Abe govt, I believe there will never be enough for miilitary spending. It's hard wired into their platform.

And the "Scary Talk" will justify the expenses - and they will belittle those who oppose these increases as just naive and / or may even be enemy sympathizers.

A few extra $billion could do a lot of good elsewhere.

We will Annihilate each other in a way no one for could foresee Due to Computer artificial intelligence controlled Launching once started World wide

Skynet?

Even so, when war (most likely breaks out) you'll be happier that Japan can put up more of a fight instead of rolling over because of the increased defense budget.

Remember, in times of peace, defense budget goes down... the opposite in times of increased aggression and higher chances of war.

Reality as always, trumps ideology. Face reality and one will be better prepared for what happens especially when all signs (which have been shown to be right in history) point to it's inevitable conclusion.

I'm all for peace until someone or something threatens to take it away. Vietnam knows it, Taiwan knows it, Indonesia knows it, the Philippines know it, Australia knows it, and Japan is comprehending it... but the naïve posters here... don't get it.

HonestD - thank you.

Sorry - but I can't find where I speculated. Could you elaborate a little?

I've NEVER said don't spend any money on defence. Are you confusing me with someone else?

And digressions will not allay the main point and the topic at hand that I addressed - and that was and is - how much spending is enough? When is the cup full?

Already Japan is a military super power when compared to most of the rest of the world. Already they spend $billions (# 6 in the world). This a pure fact. No quibbles. A fact.

So please don't try to throw the "It's scary" , "If only you really knew and accepted it", veil over me. I know of the situation, I know of the reality and I know how govts of all ilks, milk their citizens for all they're worth. And More. Japan is no different.

I'm suggesting that the annual extra $billions could well be better utilised domestically to support some of those in need here.

If Japan is to increase military capabilities, now is the time. US next president wants Japan to defend themselves even building their own Nuclear weapons. China is providing moral support for Japanese military budget increase (no body is complaining). There are huge amount of money sitting in banks that no body (neither consumers nor businesses) wants to spend. Japanese government must spend to keep the economy running. And the interest rates are at historic low. Don't wait. Just do it NOW and do it BIG.

Good on the government! In an increasingly antagonistic world, the government needs to ensure the defense of this peaceful country and its people

Not enough. Japan seriously needs to step up its game on defense. Bear a proportionate share to the other allies.

At the same time Hokkaido University is saying to us that it will reduce by 14% its research and teaching staff because of serious financial problems caused by the reduction of the government fundings to universities.

Defence spending in Japan remains at 1% of GDP. The small increase in the defence budget isn't the reason why funding might be dropping in other areas. Social security and debt servicing remain by far the largest parts of the budget - around 84% from what I can calculate.

http://www.mof.go.jp/english/budget/budget/fy2017/01.pdf

If you want more spending on university research budgets, your best bet would be to advocate slashing social security or raising taxes.

"Scary talk" means nothing. Scary actions mean something. China is doing scary actions, and actions always speak louder than words. At some point you're going to have to stop speculating, and start accepting what is going on around you and how to prepare to deal with it. Even if Abe was pro military spending before, China is only giving their platform more substance than if China was doing nothing.

Is their expected another World war, If so Humanity will no longer exist. With the Event of Nuclear Bombs and the Latest Missile Technology We will Annihilate each other in a way no one for could foresee Due to Computer artificial intelligence controlled Launching once started World wide. My Country and it also looks Like your and other major countries are readying for one at the expense of the everyday people way of life

@Serrano, so China's expanded territorial claims and actions in the SCS have absolutely nothing to do with it? C'mon... even other nations in the area are increasing their defense spending to defend against China's claims. There are just some times when you have to build up your military when you see another country nearby going out of bounds.

Defense??????

The major source of attack on this planet at this time is the "land of the free," the good old U.S.A.

China's fault.