Japan's FY2025 defense-related outlay to total 1.8% of FY2022 GDP

do not buy weapon made in trump land

Disgusting!

Of course!! It's waaay more important to spend money on military than on the elderly in Japan who are killing themselves and each other due to lack of support. Well done!

Every comment about "how about spending the money on..." ignores the reality that if there was no country, the people's needs would never be met in any way whatsoever. Military expenditure, particularly with a country like Japan that is highly defense oriented, is to ensure that the country is protected and continues to exist.

Of course most of such comments, while sounding like liberal ones, really aim to keep Japan defenseless because it is a significant obstruction to China's expansionist goals.

Wait isn't Japanese people now struggling with price that are going up? Beside that who will operate those machine? Japanese military struggling getting new recruit.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/japan-s-military-struggles-with-record-low-recruitment-numbers/ar-BB1pJIe9

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15337395

So far only able to recruit half personnel of established target.

Early 20th century there was a huge naval buildup in UK and Germany, very much like today's race with China and the US. Unfortunately with more and more weapons a nation feels more embolden to get what it wants even if it means war.

The world today faces three large, well armed nations all seemingly looking to expand their empires. Cyber warfare has been ongoing, now trade war is breaking out leaving only actual warfare to come. Somehow the world needs to calm the heck down and reign in those with desires to expand empires.

Only by all the rest standing solidly together is there a chance peace and common sense may prevail.

Only Trump can save us....or we are doomed...Doomed !!! DOOMED !!!! I tells ya !

Actually, defence spending is an internationalised component of the Trans National Capitalist class, not especially identified with a nations borders or defence , but one aspect of how the super wealthy elite seek to keep making gains on their capital.

Suck it up people....the wealthy control us.

Budget, spending identifying threats?

Japan national security policies must essentially outline government approach to protecting its interests, most importantly US political agendas

That focus for its citizens democratic wishes, the economy, and institutions.

These policies address government of China, North Korean threats, both military/non-military, guiding the nations the people’s actions in areas such as, intelligence/law enforcement of foreign forces stationed in Japan.

The hosting of USDF across Japan mainland and the command structure needs urgent review.

To consider future international cooperation/diplomacy, to address regional security issues.

I honestly respectfully suggest President Trump administration priorities are first/ foremost leveraging J taxpayers to fund and finance US forwards bases that’s bottom-line agenda/function is to protect principally US mainland from attack.

Well, many of you want the US military out of your Country, and you want the US to go away and leave Japan alone, so here is where you stand up and take responsibility for your own defense. Enjoy!

Having a war-renouncing Constitution, Japan had long capped its defense spending at about 1 percent of GDP, or around 5 trillion yen, but the country is increasing it in response to security challenges such as China's rapid military buildup and North Korea's missile and nuclear development.

This summarizes the entire article.

A strong Japan is a good Japan. 1.8% is still insufficient, however, especially considering how their GDP rank has dropped. The threat of the CCP is real and a militarization is key. Conscription is also a good idea. Make Nippon Strong Again.

Only US and Japanese arms industries welcome it.

Many people who already facing needy are forced to more burden.

I was serious when I wrote the Transnational Capital Class use defence spending as a way of investing capital to continue assett growth.

At a superficial level you can argue, oh, its Japan or US doing this or that

BUT look at which companies are getting tax monies for armaments, which individual and group associations are benefitting and follow the dots.

World income is increasingly narrowed as seen in Oxfam reports and a shrinking cohort of US and Euro interests control a majority of the capital flow around the planet.

Defence spending is one of a handful of spending areas seen as secure investments for these groups.

Not my musing either but the conclusion of specialist people in major Universities in the USA.

Meanwhile ...

The population of Japanese nationals stood at 120.3 million as of October 2024, down a record 898,000 from a year earlier, a government estimate showed Monday, amid the graying of society and a declining birthrate.

Japan Times

I guess the options are to build robots or recruit mercenaries from overseas. Does the JSDF pay better than Family Mart?

So not up to NATO spending levels.

Given Japan's neighborhood and its refusal to do anything nuclear, probably should be 5% of gdp.

Let hear some MORE from you people out there saying there’s “No Threat from anyone, it’s all in your mind”

https://youtu.be/aw0gDbMZ9tM?si=-ND5lyr3WdQtWdom

(Kindly disregard the above link and use this one, the video is terrible on the previous link)

https://youtu.be/laK-mw8c0jk?si=9xhUxPDKAIKYWizr

do not buy weapon made in trump land

Tell the world the brilliant reasoning behind your comment.

@wasabi

Japan does whatever it wants whoever is in the Whitehouse, has nothing to do with Trump.

In a political environment where military means are considered an acceptable part of diplomacy, countries which do not take adequate means to defend themselves will find that their independence and freedom have been stolen by their more bellicose neighbors.

In other words, surrender, and be prepared for the possibility that one will disappear as a nation and a culture, or be prepared to defend yourself.

That 1.8% (~US$55 billion) doesn’t include the US component of US$20 billion for its own purposes in Japan.

That totals well over 1.8%.

The metric of percentage of GDP is meaningless anyway. It’s not how much, but what you spend it on. And how much is for jobs and corporate profit based on politics?

And then there’s the old question, who is going to attack Japan and why?

While it is good to see that Japan is facing reality and increasing its military spending, it is sad that such a thing has become necessary.

North Korea - Missile defense, Fat Kim is not leading an invasion

China - Nothing to worry about unless Japan sticks its nose into the domestic Taiwan issue

Russia- I don't know enough about the situation but I do not see Russia invading Hokkaido anytime soon.

And then there’s the old question, who is going to attack Japan and why?

deanzaZZRToday  04:46 am JST

North Korea - Missile defense, Fat Kim is not leading an invasion

China - Nothing to worry about unless Japan sticks its nose into the domestic Taiwan issue

Russia- I don't know enough about the situation but I do not see Russia invading Hokkaido anytime soon.

Exactly. Japan has no resources, nothing to gain.

The only reason any country would attack Japan is because of the US bases.

OssanAmericaApr. 15  06:40 pm JST

Every comment about "how about spending the money on..." ignores the reality that if there was no country, the people's needs would never be met in any way whatsoever. Military expenditure, particularly with a country like Japan that is highly defense oriented, is to ensure that the country is protected and continues to exist.

France had an extremely powerful military in 1940, led by generals with actual combat experience. Didn't stop the Blitzkrieg though.

Of course most of such comments, while sounding like liberal ones, really aim to keep Japan defenseless because it is a significant obstruction to China's expansionist goals.

But of course. So everyone who expressed any criticism of this increase in defence spending is really an online shill in the payroll of the CCP?

Marc LoweApr. 15  10:22 pm JST

The threat of the CCP is real and a militarization is key.

Not with a lot of clueless career politicians and armchair generals in charge it isn't.

Conscription is also a good idea. Make Nippon Strong Again.

If you're so keen on conscription I expect you've already enlisted yourself or are planning to do something soon. Or is it only a good idea for other people to sign up?

Not NEARLY enough, 1.8% GDP, given decades of under-investment, really since WWII, rapidly growing military power in China, NK and DJT's likely upcoming reduction of US forces in Japan to shift more burden to Japan etc.

HopeSpringsEternalToday  09:32 am JST

Not NEARLY enough, 1.8% GDP, given decades of under-investment, really since WWII, rapidly growing military power in China, NK and DJT's likely upcoming reduction of US forces in Japan to shift more burden to Japan 

What a ridiculous position.

Who and why would anyone attack Japan?

Next you’ll be asking why would North Koreans be infiltrating the country

https://youtu.be/laK-mw8c0jk?si=9xhUxPDKAIKYWizr

WA4TKGToday  01:14 pm JST

Next you’ll be asking why would North Koreans be infiltrating the country

It's not really relevant to the issue of defence spending though, is it. They certainly don't need to hike up the defence budget to handle a few spy boats.

Who and why would anyone attack Japan?

Just because. Why would anyone want Greenland? Or Canada? Well, there's stuff, but...

And there's history, and stuff...

Yes. There's always stuff from the past.

Having a war-renouncing Constitution,

Unaware that Japan's constitution was drafted by GHQ.

Not NEARLY enough, 1.8% GDP, given decades of under-investment, really since WWII, rapidly growing military power in China, NK and DJT's likely upcoming reduction of US forces in Japan to shift more burden to Japan etc.

Hopey gets off on the CAPS. Well done.

The reconfigured world order (order not quite right, considering it's so volatile, stupid, self-defeating...) will mean ordinary Americans suffer.

Higher prices at Walmart and Costco.