A panel of experts under the Japanese Defense Ministry is considering a proposal to revise the current defense buildup plan, which allocates 43 trillion yen in spending over five years through March 2028, sources close to the matter said Sunday, as inflation drives up the cost of defense equipment.
The panel, led by Sadayuki Sakakibara, a former chief of the Japan Business Federation, the biggest business lobby in the country, will submit a report on its discussions regarding the need to beef up the country's defense capabilities, possibly in the summer, for the government to consider.
As Japan undertakes its most extensive defense buildup since World War II amid growing security challenges from China and North Korea, and with the public burdened by rising prices, it remains unclear whether any proposal to increase defense spending will gain support from the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
The current Defense Buildup Program was adopted in December 2022 as part of three key security documents that marked a major shift in defense policy for a country that upholds a pacifist Constitution, including a plan to acquire strike capabilities that could potentially reach an adversary's territory.
While Japan's annual defense budget had long been capped at around 1 percent of gross domestic product, the documents also set a goal of increasing defense-related spending to 2 percent of GDP by fiscal 2027.
But some members of the panel, established in February 2024, have said the 43 trillion yen budget would be insufficient to fulfill the government's commitment to strengthen defense capabilities, citing rising costs of equipment due to inflation and a weak yen, according to the sources.
Others emphasized the need to enhance Japan's ability to sustain combat operations by increasing ammunition stockpiles and accelerating the acquisition of drones and other advanced equipment amid a shifting security environment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and growing concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, they said.
The Defense Buildup Program provides rough cost estimates for acquiring long-range missiles, aircraft and ships over the five years starting in fiscal 2023, as well as a projection of the Self-Defense Forces' posture around a decade later.
To cover the 43 trillion yen in defense spending, the government has planned hikes in corporate, income and tobacco taxes. It is set to raise corporate and tobacco taxes starting in April 2026 but has yet to decide when to increase the income tax.
A government source said seeking to further increase the defense budget will require "huge political energy," which is not something that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads a minority government, can withstand.
A senior government official said serious discussions about revisiting the Defense Buildup Program are likely to take place after the House of Councillors election in the summer.
Meanwhile, some within the Japanese government have called for additional defense equipment to be purchased through the United States' foreign military sales program, as U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear he believes Japan should increase its defense spending.
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Peter14
Japan is rightly concerned and must both increase domestic manufacturing of ordinance from artillery to missiles, boosting stockpiles, (increasing high tech jobs) and ship building, R&D and joining friends externally to develop new systems such as the GCAP fighter and others.
China, North Korea, Russia, South Korea even Taiwan are expanding their defenses and boosting spending. Japan should not be the odd one out in the neighborhood and must keep pace in this arms race. Doing nothing puts you in a similar place to what Ukraine was in prior to 2014. Ignoring defense spending and having faith that others would never attack it. A Ukraine with no defense allies. We see where that got them.
Australia spending up to 2.5% GDP on defense and looking at going to 3% in the next decade. Even New Zealand is increasing their defense spending in the coming years.
The world would be better off if all that was used to fight climate change rather than people. But when unfriendly nations make territorial claims and grow their militaries to enable them to forcefully take new territory, you fall behind and then become a target. Better to build your defenses and employ your people in high tech endeavors that can spin off into civilian life.
Boy scout motto is "be prepared" and that is sound advice no matter how old you are.
BertieWooster
What's the point of spending all this money on "defence?" Prices are out the roof, taxes are high. What is there to defend?
isabelle
To deter and counter an "attack," of course.
The entire country, and over 120 million people.
Alongfortheride
What a total waste of MY money!! Spend the same money looking after your own elderly and supporting young couple who want children.
Sorry Japan but right at the moment you are a failure
Alongfortheride
NZ has not spend 1 cent on anything that fires live weapons. All they have done is purchase surveillance aircraft to help with search and rescue & humanitarian support.
Peter14
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-08/why-new-zealand-plans-to-nearly-double-its-defence-spending/105151326
More money will be ploughed into upgrading NZ's two frigates, although there will be no replacement vessel for the HMNZ Manawanui.
New Zealand will also develop more sophisticated "strike capabilities" by deploying new missile systems which can target enemy forces — although it's not yet clear if it will arm its frigates and reconnaissance planes with them, or develop new land based systems instead.
NZ going from 1% GDP to 2% over the coming 8 years. Big spend for a little nation and they like everyone have been dealing with inflation and higher living costs but even NZ recognize you must be ready to act in your own defense in the modern age.
Peter14
BertieWoosterToday 05:20 pm JST
All Japanese territory and over 120 million citizens, and you wonder what is there to defend? I would call Japan well worth defending, even though it seems you dont agree.
Agent_Neo
An increase in Japan's defense spending will be very inconvenient for those who dismiss the Chinese Communist Party's acts of aggression as delusions and fabrications.
It is inconceivable that Japan, a country that relies heavily on imports for most of its economy, would not defend its sea lanes and simply stand by and watch as China, Russia, and North Korea invade its territorial waters and airspace.
With China, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea as clear, not just imaginary, enemies, Japan needs to continue increasing its defense spending to more than 3% of GDP.
Alongfortheride
And if in fact it needed to be defended Japan can call on the USA where they have an agreement to fund all their military bases in return of support if it happened.
Alongfortheride
NZ is too weak to carry out their promise of this.Its all about votes with NZ govt
Peter14
It is a simple matter of spending what they earn, not of strength. They see a need to alter spending patterns to increase the expenditure on defense. They will do exactly that.
If there is one thing all politicians seem able to do it is to shuffle spending like shuffling cards in a deck. No matter what party leads,
Peter14
South Korea is not an enemy of Japan. There are those in both nations that argue differently but both are allied to USA and both have worries of Russia, North Korea and China.
Alongfortheride
And if there is 1 thing NZ is good at is saying they will do something then change their minds.
Its won't happen.
Peter Neil
The defense industry is vital to the defense of the defense industry, which is defending the defense industry by building a robust defense industry for defense industry industries.
Old Sausage
Worries about Japan's population is a tax on the present, paid to a future that’ll forget us. Keep laughing—it’s the only rebellion that never ages.
chatanista
isabelleToday 05:59 pm JST
To deter and counter an "attack," of course.
Yeah, but that's why Japan has US military bases all over the country, with a bunch of JT posters included. It is a deterrent. Nobody will attack Japan while the bases are here, otherwise what would be their benefit to Japan? J government should spend extra money on its seriously lacking social net such as the pensions, instead of more weapons. Get better at diplomacy, it is way cheaper.
happyhere
Yes, let's try diplomacy. Win, win. Getting involved with BRICS+ would be a much smarter move than trying to placate the US by buying overpriced useless weapons.
Peter14
Funny thing about US military support. It can be very haphazard. If Japan gets attacked America may or may not defend you.
If America is hit on Japanese territory it will be with you 100%
Ukraine had an agreement with Russia, the US and UK all guaranteeing Ukraine safety if they gave up their soviet nuclear weapons. Ukraine did its part. Russia broke the agreement and invaded Ukraine. Neither US nor UK sent troops to defend Ukraine. They sent weapons, just enough to keep from toppling over. With restrictions on use. Not the best up to date weapons, but older refurbished ones.
So depending on the USA is not always as reliable as one would want. Look well at history from WWI onwards.
I will always remember INTERFET and President Clinton's refusal to allow US troops to serve under the Australian General in charge of the operation. Twenty one nations had no issue with having their troops under Australian command, but America would only provide limited logistical support outside the INTERFET command structure. So not as reliable as we had hoped.
Under Trump I would expect even less reliability.
kaimycahl
Based on past history Japan Remember China has not forgotten and they will come back to for revenge if the can! Arm up or lay down!
Yrral
Tokyo would be destroyed in 5 minutes in all out war, Tokyo has no defense to nuclear attack
Peter14
Nobody does Larry. Nobody can shoot down everything, and only one needs to explode and some are set to air burst over a city, doesnt need to land. Washington would be just as destroyed as Tokyo in an all out nuclear war.
kurisupisu
I fail to see the massive expenditure on strike capabilities.
What for?
Japan is hardly a prize as Ukraine is for an invader.
Japan is a failing economy with no leading tech nor natural resources.
There aren’t any reasons for a foreign country to invade.
Mr Kipling
So nothing to do with the US requesting Japan to spend more? Really?
Yrral
I do.not live in Washington, beside we have deterrence , Japan does not,we do not hide behind our military for our security,they have little or no role in civilian affairs
Peter14
You also do not live in Tokyo but love to keep pointing out their possible destruction by nuclear weapon.
Officially Japan does. It is included in the US nuclear umbrella.
Of course you do, thats why its there.
Their role is to protect the United states from enemies international or domestic as ordered by their commander in chief, through the military chain of command.
Fos
There is no clear or present danger for Japan to be attacked by China. Analysts who understand a bit of geopolitics will tell you that.
And yet we see, day in day out, reps from the US big industrial military complex posting desperate appeals to more military spending.
A brief recap of history for our new readers, to understand the lack of knowledge on the real danger of the White House, trying to wage the next war in Asia, after catastrophe in Eastern Europe and the mass killings in Gaza. Both being fought with American weapons.
Of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, who represent the great powers, only China has not fought a war in 40 years. In contrast to China, in the last three decades, America has fought a war or been involved in military actions every year.
In the course of the 20th century alone, Washington has participated in 39 armed conflicts, or one every three years, and since 2000 it has engaged in at least 12 wars, the equivalent of one every two years.
Simon Foston
kurisupisuToday 09:51 pm JST
All the guns, missiles, warships and fighter planes make elderly politicians feel all manly and virile.