Japan wants to increase its defense budget to a record level by 2025

Today (December 25), the Japanese government finalized its draft budget report, planning to spend approximately 115.5 trillion yen (732 billion USD) for fiscal year 2025, with the defense budget exceeding 8 trillion yen for the first time.

On December 19th in Nagasaki, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries handed over a Mogami-class multi-purpose frigate to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Nippon.com reports that the draft budget for fiscal year 2025 in Japan, beginning April 1, 2025, is expected to increase to 115.5 trillion yen.

According to the new draft, budgets for social security and defense have both increased to record levels.

Specifically, social security spending reached over 38 trillion yen (241 billion USD). Meanwhile, the defense budget is projected to increase to 8.5 trillion yen (54 billion USD), the highest in the country's history. This proposed amount is 10% higher than last year's record budget of 7.7 trillion yen and marks the first time it has exceeded 8 trillion yen.

What weapons does Japan want with its proposed record defense budget?

The draft budget is based on a proposal from Japan's Ministry of Defense in August, which calls for the purchase of more small attack drones (UAVs) and the commencement of mass production of long-range missiles, integrating with small satellite networks, and building up retaliatory strike capabilities.

The ministry also proposed 970 billion yen for long-range weapons, including 17 billion yen for an improved long-range version of the Type-12 missile and 3 billion yen for submarine-launched guided missiles. Both weapons are expected to enter mass production in the next fiscal year.

Over 35 billion yen will be allocated to a program to expand the production of hypersonic missiles, while 316 billion yen will be dedicated to developing high-speed glide weapons. These capabilities will allow Japan to attack bases and targets from a distance. Japan also plans to build three more Mogami-class multi-purpose frigates.

The cabinet is expected to approve the budget draft at its meeting on December 27.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhat-ban-muon-tang-ngan-sach-quoc-phong-len-muc-ky-luc-nam-2025-1852412251455031.htm