Japan Approves Record Defence Budget, Public Voices Concerns

The Japanese government has approved a draft budget for fiscal 2026 that sets the defence spending at approximately 9.04 trillion yen (around 58 billion US dollars), marking a significant increase and raising public concerns about its implications. This new budget reflects a substantial rise from the 5.4 trillion yen allocated for defence in fiscal 2022, demonstrating a surge of 3.6 trillion yen in just four years.

An editorial in Shimbun Akahata highlighted that the latest defence budget allocation is comparable to the 3.5 trillion yen designated for measures to counteract Japan’s declining birthrate and the 3.8 trillion yen set aside for nursing care payments. The publication warned that increasing military expenditure may lead to cuts in essential services, characterizing the budget as one that prioritizes “military prosperity at the expense of people’s livelihoods.”

In a similar vein, the Ryukyu Shimpo published an editorial expressing concern that the proposed armament plans deviate from Japan’s historical commitment to an “exclusively defence-oriented” policy, potentially escalating military tensions in the region. The newspaper’s stance underscores a growing sentiment among some sectors of society that the current trajectory of defence spending could threaten Japan’s pacifist principles.

Atsushi Koketsu, a professor emeritus at Yamaguchi University, conveyed disappointment regarding the budget proposal. He stated that it does not adequately address the needs of the populace and fails to promote stability, all while substantially increasing military funding. This perspective reflects a broader societal apprehension about the implications of such financial priorities.

Historically, Japan maintained its annual defence budget at approximately 1 percent of its GDP, equivalent to around 5 trillion yen, in line with its postwar pacifist stance as outlined in its war-renouncing Constitution. However, following a controversial decision in 2022, the government has aimed to elevate total defence spending to approximately 43 trillion yen from fiscal 2023 through 2027, with the target of reaching 2 percent of GDP by fiscal 2027.

Since fiscal 2023, Japan’s annual defence budget has consistently surpassed 6 trillion yen, with figures climbing to 7 trillion yen, 8 trillion yen, and now 9 trillion yen. This trend raises questions about the future balance between military investment and social welfare in Japan, as public sentiment increasingly reflects unease over the direction of national priorities.

The implications of this record defence budget are likely to resonate throughout Japanese society, as debates continue over the balance between national security and the welfare of citizens.