TENSION WITH CHINA GROWS
The budget announcement comes as Japan’s row with China escalates following Takaichi’s remark in November that the Japanese military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan.
The disagreement escalated this month when Chinese aircraft carrier drills near southwestern Japan prompted Tokyo to protest when Chinese aircraft locked their radar on Japanese aircraft, which is considered possible preparation for firing missiles.
The defence ministry, already alarmed by China’s rapid expansion of operations in the Pacific, will open a new office dedicated to studying operations, equipment and other necessities for Japan to deal with China’s Pacific activity.
Two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted in June almost simultaneously operating near the southern Japanese island of Iwo Jima for the first time, fueling Tokyo’s concern about Beijing’s rapidly expanding military activity far beyond its borders and areas around the disputed East China Sea islands.
JAPAN PLANS JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF FRIGATES AND JETS
Japan is pushing to strengthen its largely domestic defence industry by participating in joint development with friendly nations, and promoting foreign sales, after drastically easing arms export restrictions in recent years.
For 2026, Japan plans to spend more than ¥160 billion to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy for deployment in 2035. There are also plans for research and development of artificial-intelligence-operated drones designed to fly with the jet.
In a major boost to the country’s defence industry, Australia selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in August to upgrade the Mogami-class frigate to replace its fleet of 11 ANZAC-class ships.
Japan’s budget allocates nearly ¥10 billion to support the industry base and arms sales.
MEETING TARGETS, BUT FUTURE FUNDING UNCERTAIN
The budget plan requires parliamentary approval by March to be implemented as part of a ¥122.3 trillion national budget Bill.
The five-year defence build-up programme would bring Japan’s annual spending to around ¥10 trillion, making it the world’s third-largest spender after the US and China. Japan will clear the 2 per cent target by March as promised, the finance ministry said.
Takaichi’s government plans to fund its growing military spending by raising corporate and tobacco taxes, and recently adopted a plan for an income tax increase beginning in 2027. Prospects for future growth at a higher percentage of GDP are unclear.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japans-cabinet-approves-record-defence-budget-aims-deter-china-5709436
