Japan proposes record defense budget

Tokyo [Japan], August 31: Japan's Defense Ministry has requested a record budget in a move aimed at sending a clear message to allies and adversaries alike.
Japan's Defense Ministry on August 30 proposed a budget of more than 8.5 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal year 2025, according to The Japan Times . This proposal is 10% higher than last year's record budget of 7.7 trillion yen and the first time it has exceeded the 8 trillion yen mark.
According to the proposal, Japan wants to buy many small attack drones ( UAVs ) and start mass producing long-range missiles, integrate small satellite networks, and build counter-strike capabilities.
Japan's Ministry of Defense believes that unmanned systems are a game-changing technology that can help gain asymmetrical advantage in the air and at sea, while minimizing human casualties. The Defense Ministry wants to spend 3 billion yen to buy small attack UAVs capable of destroying enemy warships and aircraft.
The Japanese Defense Ministry also requested 970 billion yen for long-range weapons, including 17 billion yen for a long-range improved version of the Type-12 missile and 3 billion yen for a submarine-launched guided missile. Both weapons are expected to be mass-produced in the next fiscal year.
More than 35 billion yen will be allocated for a program to expand the production of hypersonic missiles, while 316 billion yen will be earmarked for developing high-speed glide weapons. These capabilities will allow Japan to attack bases and targets from a distance.
The proposed defense budget will be finalized by the Finance Ministry, and observers say the record spending will send a signal to Japan's allies and rivals.
"This is an important message of long-term commitment to the previously announced defense buildup plan, showing that this is not a one-time gesture but a practical and credible program to strengthen defense. It will help strengthen deterrence so that opponents will not want to use force to resolve disputes with Japan or its close ally," said James Schoff, a defense expert at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in the US.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper