Japan prioritizes national defense and security

On December 27, Japan increased its defense budget to a record 8.7 trillion yen ($55 billion) for fiscal year 2025 (starting next April).

The draft budget marks the 13th consecutive increase in Japan's defense budget, surpassing the record 7.9 trillion yen in the current fiscal year. (Source: Asia Times)

The draft defense budget was released as Japan enters the third year of a five-year plan to enhance the capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).

The plan focuses on enhancing long-range defense capabilities, or attacking targets beyond the enemy's attack range, while gaining dominance in multiple domains through unmanned systems, in cooperation with allied nations.

According to the draft, Japan will spend 939 billion yen on enhancing its confrontation capabilities and 41.5 billion yen to purchase two MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial systems.

In addition, Tokyo plans to spend 409.7 billion yen to improve the working environment and treatment for SDF members. Like many advanced economies , Japan is facing a shortage of SDF personnel amid an aging population. The government will spend 1.9 billion yen to introduce new lifetime career plans, as SDF employees often retire early.

Other notable spending includes 108.7 billion yen to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy by 2035, under the UK's Global Governmental Initiative (GIGO).

On the same day, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru's Cabinet approved a draft national budget worth 115,540 billion Yen (733 billion USD) - a record high.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ngan-sach-nha-nuoc-cao-ky-luc-nhat-ban-dat-uu-tien-an-ninh-quoc-phong-len-hang-dau-298838.html