politics

Japan eyes ¥40-45 trillion for 5-year defense spending plan

24 Comments
By Takaya Yamaguchi and Yoshifumi Takemoto

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24 Comments
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If small European nations can do 2%, Canada and Australia as well, then how is it so difficult for the worlds third largest economy to achieve such a basic level of defense spending? Either there is huge wastage in a number of areas, on top of financial mismanagement and incompetence on a large scale, or something else is seriously wrong somewhere.

A nation with Japans economy should be capable of funding social necessities, the arts, education and health and a decent defense force with relative ease.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

You are absolutely correct.

So you agree Japan should have no problem spending 2% of GDP on defense as other smaller economies do.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Long overdue. A decent self-defense military given Japan's geopolitical predicament is not only justified but would be a moral defect if neglected. Germany and France etc have been dragging their feet on the 2% demanded by Obama and Trump, then Ukraine happened and they finally woke up. Yes, all governments are ineffiicent and somewhat corrupt, but that does not argue against a decent military.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Japan has the talent and skills to develop the next generation deterrents.

The costs are punitive, continuing depopulation will/could bring the generation gap politically into mainstream political focus.

Legrande is correct, taxes will inevitably rise.

The ruling government must have a clear policy to put families first.

Ring fence child care.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

BTW, the US has been trying to convince the Western allies to spend at least 2% of their budgets on defense for many decades. It is not something that started with the recent presidents.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The world has learned that in order to protect one's self from a homicidal maniac dictator, it is necessary to be prepared to defend one's self.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What is your 5 minute plan,If Japan is attacked,this all you have by Japan enemies

Japan like every other nation since 1945, will be attacked by conventional weapons. They no doubt have more than a "5 minute plan" they have war plans for defending Japan.

If there is ever a nuclear war, then all nations are doomed, not just Tokyo. Texas too will be destroyed. What is YOUR 5 minute plan?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If human were responsible, it wouldn’t be any spending on military, and they would only search for peace, not escalation.

This budget increase will not bring anything

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Yrral INCORRECT!! Where are you getting your ill informed information from?

the US has no legal obligation to defend anyone else,but American

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mitsushishi and all the other Heavies say, Thank You. It will be interesting to see the details of the security plan. How does the LDP plan to spend this new largesse? I will guess some more marines, ships and aircraft to defend both the north and the south of the archipelago.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Yrral I know you are not an American but I suggest to take American history 101. America's constitution was never written to say it would defend ANY country but America itself. As OUR COUNTRY grew it developed treaties or alliances. Being a member of NATO, the treaty alliance that the United States have signed up to says we as a country is bound to help defend the security and freedoms of other NATO members who are in the alliance!! So if you know your own history and japan being a member of that alliance then there's your answer!!!

Kaim,were in the US Constitution,it said we have to defend Japanese

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What is your 5 minute plan,If Japan is attacked,this all you have by Japan enemies

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

1glenn,the US has no legal obligation to defend anyone else,but American

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Is LDP a cult demanding money from its citizens for their eternal safety?

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

@deabzaZZR

Mitsushishi and all the other Heavies say, Thank You.

Most of money will be spent on imported weapons, not domestic weapons.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

They've already said through panels that the citizens should shoulder the costs through increased taxes, so that's what will happen. They've approved the budget, then they'll implement it in April, and then they'll spend that year before tax increases "making the public understand" and also saying "we have no choice due to budget restraints" and "it can't be helped -- shouganai!" Oh, and they'll give a way bunch of money to developing nations, too, and spend bunch pitching to host international events, too, of course.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Enriching the American defense contractors.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

We all know this will lead to higher taxes, just what the LDP has been yearning to do.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

and yes that guy on photo will take money from our pockets...

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

With a nation impoverished and the cost of life increasing this is something that is absolutely not needed.

This is when you leave ultra right wingers with a sense of revenge of the past war to lead the country.

These LDP right wingers are really making old Abe dream come true.

Another step away from democracy and our taxes will be used for weapons.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

If there was believable over site, cost and benefit reports, accountability for where all this money goes. As most Democratic nations practice….I’m might support this. But as it currently stands these huge sums just disappear into an opaque system.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

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