World News
Japan Defense Ministry seeks 8.9 trillion yen budget focus on drones, AI, and missiles
The preliminary request marks an initial step ahead of an expected spending expansion under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
The short version
- Japan's Defense Ministry disclosed an initial 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion) budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, focusing on artificial intelligence, uncrewed systems, and long-range weapons.
- The plan aims to modernise defense capabilities and offset a shrinking pool of military personnel caused by Japan's aging demographic.
- The ministry intends to launch state-owned, contractor-operated production facilities to stabilize military manufacturing and prevent supply chain withdrawals.
- Final defense spending totals are expected to rise significantly later this year following government approval of an updated security strategy.
Key facts
- The Defense Ministry disclosed a preliminary budget request of 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion) for the next fiscal year, slightly up from 8.8 trillion yen ($55 billion) requested for the current year.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- The proposal includes developing submarine-launched hypersonic missiles, acquiring aerial and underwater attack drones, and building an 'AI orchestrator' command-and-control platform.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- The request seeks funding for a state-owned, contractor-operated system where the government acquires production facilities and outsources defense manufacturing to private contractors.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Officials noted uncrewed weapons are intended to help compensate for personnel declines driven by Japan's aging population.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- China's government has criticized Japan's military expansion as 'new militarism.'[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The final budget figure remains unspecified because the total will be adjusted after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration adopts a revised security strategy later in the year.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Specific funding amounts for acquiring uncrewed drones, developing submarine hypersonic missiles, and building the secure Defense Ministry cloud were omitted from the public request.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Experts questioned Japan's ability to develop fully domestic drones, citing Chinese commercial domination in the sector.[ABC News · Associated Press]