The government of Japan has approved a record defence budget for the coming fiscal year, marking another major step in its ongoing military buildup amid growing security concerns in the region.
The spending plan allocates roughly $58 billion to defence, placing Japan on track to become the world’s third-largest military spender in the coming years. The increase reflects Tokyo’s commitment to strengthening deterrence capabilities, including missile defence, long-range strike systems and enhanced cooperation with allies.
Officials said the expanded budget is intended to respond to an increasingly complex security environment, citing regional military activity and concerns over stability in East Asia. The government has pointed to developments involving China, North Korea and Russia as factors shaping its defence posture.
The decision follows earlier policy shifts that moved Japan away from decades of restrained military spending under its post-war pacifist framework. While the country maintains that its forces remain defensive in nature, the scale and pace of the buildup have drawn attention both domestically and internationally.
The budget approval also comes amid broader fiscal debates, as rising defence costs compete with social spending priorities in an ageing society. Some lawmakers and economists have raised concerns about long-term funding sustainability, while supporters argue that national security requires sustained investment.
Japan’s defence expansion aligns with wider efforts to deepen security cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. At the same time, officials have stressed that diplomacy remains a central pillar of the country’s foreign policy.
The record budget underscores Japan’s evolving role in regional security and highlights how shifting geopolitical dynamics are reshaping defence policies across East Asia.
