Japan Boosts Defence Spending As Security Concerns Over China Grow
Japan's government is portraying its accelerating military buildup not only as a way to protect the country but as a route to greater prosperity, arguing in its latest defence white paper that arms production can support economic growth. That theme is echoed in the paper's anime-inspired c
Japan’s government is portraying its accelerating military buildup not only as a way to protect the country but as a route to greater prosperity, arguing in its latest defence white paper that arms production can support economic growth. That theme is echoed in the paper’s anime-inspired cover, which features a smiling family against the backdrop of a futuristic city, replacing the soldiers, military hardware and insignia commonly seen on previous editions. A Defence Ministry official said the artwork was designed to project a “futuristic image. ”China Emerges as Japan’s Primary Security ConcernThe link between defence and future prosperity comes as Takaichi’s administration prepares a new national security strategy. Military experts expect it to call for further spending increases aimed primarily at deterring China from starting a conflict with Taiwan that could also draw Japan into a prolonged war. “China’s military activities and other actions are a matter of serious concern to Japan and the international community, and representJapan’sgreatest strategic challenge,” the white paper said. Beijing reacted furiously in November whenTakaichisaid Japan could deploy its Self-Defense Forces if a Chinese attack on Taiwan also threatened Japan’s survival, demanding that she retract what it called an “egregious” remark. Budget Challenges Accompany Military ExpansionTokyo has assembled a patchwork of tax increases, spending reforms and one-off revenues to finance Japan’s largest military buildup since World War Two, which has pushed defence-related spending to 2% of gross domestic product. But Takaichi has yet to explain clearly how she would pay for a further expansion without adding pressure on Japan’s already stretched public finances. Her government secured a record 122. 3 trillion-yen budget for the year to March 2027 and later added a 3. 1 trillion-yen supplementary package to cushion households and businesses from higher energy costs, underscoring the competing demands on the public purse. Much of the new defence spending so far has gone on missiles capable of striking targets more than 1,000 km (621 miles) away. A significant share of any further increase is expected to go toward drones and other unmanned weapons of the kind deployed extensively by Ukraine in its war with Russia. (With inputs from Reuters)