Japan considers broadening "defense-related" spending amid US pressure

Japan is considering increasing overall defence spending by broadening the scope of what counts as related expenditures to include space projects and infrastructure initiatives undertaken by government agencies beyond the Defence Ministry sources familiar with the matter told Kyodo NewsThe move aims to demonstrate Tokyos determination to boost defence outlays amid Chinas military assertiveness and other regional security challenges while the US administration hopes its Asian ally will shoulder more of the regional security burden Kyodo News reportedAhead of her first inperson summit with US President Donald Trump late last month Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to accelerate the countrys goal of raising defence spending and related initiatives to 2 percent of gross domestic product from fiscal 2027 to fiscal 2025Takaichi told reporters after talks with Trump on October 28 in Tokyo that there were no exchanges with numbers in mind However months earlier the Trump administration had reportedly pressed Japan behind the scenes to raise its defence spending to 35 percent of GDP Kyodo News saidAccording to sources the government is considering allocating more of its budget to projects that enhance defence readiness including space and aviation initiatives as well as infrastructure protection and counting them toward the overall defence budget totalIn the initial budget for the current fiscal year starting in April defence spending was set at approximately 85 trillion yen 55 billion and related expenses at about 15 trillion yenThese related expenses cover four areas research and development public infrastructure cybersecurity and international cooperation as well as the Japan Coast Guards budgetInfrastructure projects currently counted as defencerelated mainly involve civilian airports and ports expected to be used by the SelfDefence Forces and the coast guard in the event of a contingencyThe government is considering whether to include programs to protect energy facilities transportation and communications networks sources saidIdeas have also emerged to add expenses for shipbuilding disaster prevention and police activities aimed at protecting sensitive information such as advanced technologyTakaichi who assumed office on October 21 and is known as a security hawk has promised to update Japans key national security policy documents by the end of 2026Under documents adopted in 2022 Japan set a goal of increasing defence and defencerelated spending to 2 percent of GDP by fiscal 2027 a significant rise from the longstanding cap of around 1 percent of GDPThe current defence buildup plan allocates 43 trillion yen in spending over five years through March 2028 The government has floated the idea of expanding items designated as defencerelated believing that revising the documents should be accompanied by additional budgetary measures Kyodo News reportedDefence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he conveyed Japans resolve to continue increasing its defence spending when he met with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth on October 29 in TokyoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever