Last Friday, Japan's government greenlit its fiscal year 2026 budget, setting total spending at a record 122.3 trillion yen (≈$781 billion). For the 14th year running, defense outlays climbed to 9.04 trillion yen, igniting fresh debates across the country. 🛡️
Ammo Depots on the Rise
Under the FY2026 plan, around 56 billion yen will finance new ammunition depots. By 2032, the Ministry of Defense aims to have 130 storage sites nationwide. So far, 65 locations—mainly in Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa—have been earmarked, but many residents are pushing back.
In Satsuma Town (Kagoshima Prefecture), a local assembly member warned that ammo depots could turn the town into a potential target in emergencies. 🚧
From Drones to Space Operations
Key priorities in the defense budget include:
- A coastal defense "shield" built around fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) 🚀
- Procurement of hypersonic missiles and upgraded Type-12 anti-ship missiles
- Restructuring forces: the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will become the Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force, with a new Space Operations Group of about 880 personnel 🌌
- Upgrading the Ground Self-Defense Force’s 15th Brigade in Naha to a full division
Public Concerns and Debate
Critics question the rapid militarization. Military commentator Makoto Konishi warns that pushing defense spending toward 3 percent of GDP is advancing at an "alarming pace." Historian Masahiko Yamabe suggests these moves bolster war capacity rather than peace.
Protesters also fear the financial burden will fall on citizens via government bonds, higher consumption taxes or income taxes. "This completely undermines people's livelihoods," one demonstrator said. "More and more people can't even buy rice anymore." 💸
The budget proposal heads to the Diet in January 2026 for deliberation. As defense spending continues to break records—from over 6 trillion yen in FY2023 to now over 9 trillion—it’s clear Japan’s security strategy remains a hot topic nationwide. 🔥
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
