Japan’s accelerated increase in defense spending raises concerns

The Japanese government has approved a supplementary budget for fiscal 2025 that boosts defense spending to 2% of GDP—earlier than the original 2027 target. This includes an extra 1.1 trillion yen, bringing total defense spending to around 11 trillion yen. The move is part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to strengthen Japan’s military, including acquiring the ability to strike enemy bases and easing arms export restrictions. Critics say this shift moves Japan away from its pacifist stance and puts a heavy financial burden on the economy, potentially ignoring citizens’ everyday needs.

Credit : CGTN