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3h ago

Japan Seeks Record $60 Billion Defense Budget, Triples Drone Outlay for SHIELD

The request reflects Japan's shift toward counterstrike capabilities in response to a worsening security environment.

Picture by たもたん / Twitter user @tamotaro
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Japan in recent years has been shedding its strict pacifist stance, moving to obtain 'counterstrike' capabilities and doubling military spending to two percent of GDP

Overview

  • Japan's defense ministry requested 8.8 trillion yen for the fiscal year starting April 1, surpassing the current 8.7 trillion yen record.
  • Spending on unmanned systems would rise to about 313 billion yen, roughly tripling current outlays as drones become central to operations.
  • Drones are slated to underpin a new SHIELD littoral-defense network intended to block near-shore incursions, with completion targeted by March 2028.
  • The proposal goes to the finance ministry for review, and Yomiuri reports overall government budget requests may exceed 122 trillion yen.
  • Tokyo is exploring potential purchases of Turkish drones, and Washington and Tokyo are moving to make their forces more nimble for scenarios such as a Taiwan crisis.