In Japan, the government will increase the national defense budget to 2 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in fiscal 2027.
The government aims to update 3 national doctrines such as “National Security Strategy, National Defense Fundamentals and Medium Term Defense Program” by the end of the year.
Meeting with Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu and Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio discussed the defense balance sheets.
Kishida, which directs the balance sheets to be reviewed by the end of the year, has ordered that the defense budget be increased to 2 percent of GDP in the 2027 fiscal year.
During the meeting, Kishida said, “The defense budget needs to be increased urgently in 5 years.” Minister Hamada said that sufficient funds should be provided.
In line with the instruction, the budget proposals of the ruling coalition will be received and funding will be obtained immediately to provide the necessary defense capacities.
Proportion with NATO
In fiscal year 2021, about 1.2 percent of GDP was allocated to annual defense expenditures in Japan, which is known to implement defense-oriented security policies.
Prime Minister Kishida’s cabinet aims to update the National Security Strategy (NSS), which has not been revised since 2013, when it was formally adopted, accordingly.
The government aims to increase defense expenditures to 2 percent or more of GDP in proportion to NATO countries for the next 5 years.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance, stable financial resources will be needed for spending to cover the national security updates envisioned by the government.
