Japan Approves Largest-Ever Defense Budget, Poised to Become World’s Third-Biggest Military Spender

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en01.web.id – Japan.

The Japanese government has officially approved the largest defense budget in the country’s history, totaling approximately 9.04 trillion yen, or about US$58 billion, as part of efforts to strengthen national military capabilities amid rising security tensions in East Asia. The decision was announced following a cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in Tokyo on Friday (12/26/2025).

The defense budget will apply to fiscal year 2026, which begins in April, and forms part of Japan’s five-year medium-term plan to increase military spending to nearly 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). If the plan proceeds as targeted, Japan is expected to become the world’s third-largest defense spender, behind the United States and China.

The Japanese government said the budget increase is necessary to address an increasingly complex regional security environment. China’s growing military activities in the East China Sea and around Taiwan, as well as repeated missile launches by North Korea that have crossed Japanese territory, were cited as key factors driving Tokyo’s decision to strengthen its national defense posture.

According to official government explanations, the expanded defense budget will be allocated to the development and procurement of long-range missiles, enhancements to air and maritime defense systems, and major investments in drone technology and unmanned systems. Japan will also accelerate the development of a next-generation fighter jet through international cooperation with the United Kingdom and Italy.

Beyond weapons modernization, part of the funding will be used to strengthen Japan’s domestic defense industry, including securing military supply chains and boosting national weapons production capacity. This move aligns with Japan’s recent policy shift toward easing restrictions on arms exports to support strategic industries.

The decision marks a significant change in Japan’s security policy, which for decades has been guided by a pacifist constitution adopted after World War II. While continuing to emphasize its commitment to peace, Japan is now placing greater importance on deterrence capabilities and rapid response to potential threats beyond its borders.

Tokyo’s move has drawn mixed reactions internationally. The Chinese government openly criticized Japan’s increased military spending, accusing Tokyo of pursuing remilitarization. Meanwhile, the United States and several of Japan’s allies welcomed the decision as a positive contribution to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Japanese government emphasized that the defense budget approved by the cabinet will still need to be debated and formally approved by parliament before being fully implemented. However, Tokyo stressed that the policy reflects Japan’s strategic national needs in response to rapidly evolving global security dynamics.