Japan is set to increase defense spending to a fresh record next year as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government looks to respond to the challenges of heightened geopolitical tensions, US calls to shoulder more costs and a weak yen.
Defense outlays for the year starting in April 2026 will total about ¥9.04 trillion ($57.9 billion) in an overall annual budget of ¥122.3 trillion, according to a proposal approved by the cabinet on Friday. That marks a 3.8% increase from the current fiscal year and the first time outlays will top ¥9 trillion.
AloJapan.com