On November 28, the Japanese government took a bold step by approving a supplementary budget for fiscal 2025 (April 2025–March 2026) that slashes through the pacifist ceiling: defense spending will jump to a historic 2% of GDP. This means an extra 1.1 trillion yen on top of the regular 9.9 trillion yen, bringing the total to about 11 trillion yen! 😲💰
Originally, the plan was to hit the 2% mark in fiscal 2027. But Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi threw it into overdrive in her October policy speech, aiming for 2025—two years ahead of schedule. The move reflects growing security concerns in Asia and beyond, as Tokyo seeks to bolster its military muscle. 🚀
However, not everyone's cheering. A recent editorial in Asahi Shimbun warned that this "enemy base attack capability" clashes with Japan's long-standing "exclusively defense-oriented policy" enshrined in the constitution. For many, the shift feels like a step away from Japan's pacifist identity. 🇯🇵🕊️
Academic voices echo the unease. Professor Emeritus Atsushi Koketsu from Yamaguchi University told Xinhua that accelerating military expansion places a heavy burden on the economy. With defense outlays topping 10 trillion yen, some worry about cuts to social programs and everyday livelihoods. 📉🏥
Analysts say this budget bump could reshape regional balances and fuel debates over Japan's role on the global stage. Whether it delivers stronger security or strains the public purse, one thing's clear: Japan's defense journey has hit the fast lane, and all eyes are on how it steers ahead. 🚗💨
Reference(s):
Japan's accelerated increase in defense spending raises concerns
cgtn.com
