Japan has approved the biggest ever defence spending in its history as part of the $839 billion budget for 2023. The new budget, which was approved by the Japanese parliament, included an allocation of $51 billion for the defence ministry – over 30 per cent more than the previous year.

The main reason behind the rise in defence spending can be attributed to the rise of nuclear missile tests by North Korea. The missiles have breached the border of Japan on multiple occasions and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can be looking to bolster their defence for any such transgressions.

Earlier, Japan also approved a new security strategy which will allow an increase of around two per cent of GDP in defence spending by 2027. The other reason behind this step is to meet the NATO member guidelines – something that almost major member have adhered to in the recent past.

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Reuters reported that around $1.5 billion will be used to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States while more than $80 million will be used to produce surface-to-ship missiles.

Media reports also claimed that the budget report described Beijing as "the greatest strategic challenge ever to securing the peace and stability of Japan" and a "serious concern" for the international community. The main aim for Japan will be to increase its "counterstrike capacity".

"We plan to acquire all the Tomahawk missiles we need in the next fiscal year," a defence ministry official told reporters on the condition of anonymity according to Reuters. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Japan has approved the biggest ever defence spending in its history as part of the $839 billion budget for 2023. The new budget, which was approved by the Japanese parliament, included an allocation of $51 billion for the defence ministry – over 30 per cent more than the previous year.

Japan has approved the biggest ever defence spending in its history as part of the $839 billion budget for 2023. The new budget, which was approved by the Japanese parliament, included an allocation of $51 billion for the defence ministry – over 30 per cent more than the previous year. The main reason behind the rise in defence spending can be attributed to the rise of nuclear missile tests by North Korea. The missiles have breached the border of Japan on multiple occasions and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can be looking to bolster their defence for any such transgressions. Earlier, Japan also approved a new security strategy which will allow an increase of around two per cent of GDP in defence spending by 2027. The other reason behind this step is to meet the NATO member guidelines – something that almost major member have adhered to in the recent past. Also read | Trump sparked riots, says January 6 Capitol Hill attack probe panel report Reuters reported that around $1.5 billion will be used to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States while more than $80 million will be used to produce surface-to-ship missiles. Media reports also claimed that the budget report described Beijing as "the greatest strategic challenge ever to securing the peace and stability of Japan" and a "serious concern" for the international community. The main aim for Japan will be to increase its "counterstrike capacity". "We plan to acquire all the Tomahawk missiles we need in the next fiscal year," a defence ministry official told reporters on the condition of anonymity according to Reuters. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese parliament approves record defence spending in latest budget

In the face if an&nbsp;impending threat from China, Japan is expected to announce its biggest defence overhaul in decades this week. As part of the massive change, spending will be increased and the military command is likely to be reshaped. Acquisition of new missiles to tackle the threat from China is also expected to feature in the new policy.

Three defence and security documents will outline the changes as soon as Friday and reshape the defence landscape in a country whose post-war constitution does not even officially recognise the military.

"Fundamentally strengthening our defence capabilities is the most urgent challenge in this severe security environment," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the weekend.

"We will urgently ramp up our defence capabilities over the next five years."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-changing-geopolitical-landscape-japan-plans-to-boost-defence-budget-538422">Amid changing geopolitical landscape, Japan plans to boost defence budget</a>

Japan is beginning to see a threat not just from China, a country that has been growing its military strength and regional posturing, but also from North Korea&nbsp;that has launched several missiles in the past few weeks. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also prompted Japan to sit up and think about strengthening its military to defend itself in case of a foreign aggression.

The highlight of the policy is a pledge to boost spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027 to bring Japan in line with NATO members, marking a significant increase from historic spending of around one per cent. Some experts and citizens have been critical of the hike since it is not clear how it will be financed.

However, many people in the country also seem to be in favour of increasing defence spending. In a poll published by the Kyodo news agency, over 60 per cent of respondents want the country to obtain "counterstrike capability".

Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution which limits its military capacity to mostly defensive measures. As per local reports, the additional spending will be mainly aimed at "counterstrike"&nbsp;capacity, that is weapons that can target enemy missile launch sites and described by Tokyo as defensive.

To affirm that will be focus on "counterstrike" capacity, policy documents will reportedly insist that Japan remains committed to a "self-defence-oriented security policy" and will "not become a military power".

Japan is reportedly considering purchasing 500 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, while it develops longer-range missiles domestically.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the face if an impending threat from China, Japan is expected to announce its biggest defence overhaul in decades this week. As part of the massive change, spending will be increased and the military command is likely to be reshaped.

In the face if an impending threat from China, Japan is expected to announce its biggest defence overhaul in decades this week. As part of the massive change, spending will be increased and the military command is likely to be reshaped. Acquisition of new missiles to tackle the threat from China is also expected to feature in the new policy. Three defence and security documents will outline the changes as soon as Friday and reshape the defence landscape in a country whose post-war constitution does not even officially recognise the military. "Fundamentally strengthening our defence capabilities is the most urgent challenge in this severe security environment," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the weekend. "We will urgently ramp up our defence capabilities over the next five years." Also Read | Amid changing geopolitical landscape, Japan plans to boost defence budget Japan is beginning to see a threat not just from China, a country that has been growing its military strength and regional posturing, but also from North Korea that has launched several missiles in the past few weeks. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also prompted Japan to sit up and think about strengthening its military to defend itself in case of a foreign aggression. The highlight of the policy is a pledge to boost spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027 to bring Japan in line with NATO members, marking a significant increase from historic spending of around one per cent. Some experts and citizens have been critical of the hike since it is not clear how it will be financed. However, many people in the country also seem to be in favour of increasing defence spending. In a poll published by the Kyodo news agency, over 60 per cent of respondents want the country to obtain "counterstrike capability". Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution which limits its military capacity to mostly defensive measures. As per local reports, the additional spending will be mainly aimed at "counterstrike" capacity, that is weapons that can target enemy missile launch sites and described by Tokyo as defensive. To affirm that will be focus on "counterstrike" capacity, policy documents will reportedly insist that Japan remains committed to a "self-defence-oriented security policy" and will "not become a military power". Japan is reportedly considering purchasing 500 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, while it develops longer-range missiles domestically. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Amid threats from China & North Korea, Japan to announce radical overhaul of defence policy

In an effort to address growing threats from China, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has told his cabinet to increase defence spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027. The figure has stood around one per cent or less since forever, but Japan is now trying to overhaul its defence and security strategies due to the changing geopolitical landscape.&nbsp;

"We'll take budgetary measures to increase spending on defence and other outlays to two percent of current GDP by 2027," Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters after talks with Kishida.

The defence ministry had submitted a $40 billion budget request in August. But a final figure will have to wait till the government completes updates to several defence policies.&nbsp;

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The scenarios around Japan are getting dangerous, with China conducting military exercises, North Korea's missile tests and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. All this have contributed to gathering support in favour of the increased spending.

Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution which limits its military capacity to mostly defensive measures.

As per local reports, the additional spending will be mainly aimed at "counterstrike" capacity, that is weapons that can target enemy missile launch sites and described by Tokyo as defensive.

Kishida also told the parliament that counterstrike capacity was one of several options being weighed.

"This is being studied within the bounds of the constitution and international law," he said.&nbsp;

People of the country also seem to be in favour of increasing defence spending. In a poll published by the Kyodo news agency, over 60 per cent of respondents want the country to obtain "counterstrike capability".

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However, the problem arises in the area of funds. Higher taxes is not an option as even Kishida's LDP is not in favour of increasing taxes.&nbsp;

The country's economy is seeing a downturn owing to an ageing and shrinking population, besides the post-pandemic recovery and fallout from the war in Ukraine.

Hamada said Monday that Kishida has asked the government to find a way to boost spending, the issue of costs notwithstanding.

"(We will) secure the necessary budget by coming up quickly with various approaches, instead of just saying we can't because there aren't sufficient financial resources," he quoted the prime minister as saying.

A third of respondents in the Kyodo poll said that the government should cut expenses in other areas to raise funds for increased defence spending. Just over 22 per cent backed increased corporate taxes, and 13 per cent favour the issuing of government bonds.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an effort to address growing threats from China, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has told his cabinet to increase defence spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027.

In an effort to address growing threats from China, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has told his cabinet to increase defence spending to two per cent of GDP by 2027. The figure has stood around one per cent or less since forever, but Japan is now trying to overhaul its defence and security strategies due to the changing geopolitical landscape. "We'll take budgetary measures to increase spending on defence and other outlays to two percent of current GDP by 2027," Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters after talks with Kishida. The defence ministry had submitted a $40 billion budget request in August. But a final figure will have to wait till the government completes updates to several defence policies. Also Read | Why Japan prefers higher inflation The scenarios around Japan are getting dangerous, with China conducting military exercises, North Korea's missile tests and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. All this have contributed to gathering support in favour of the increased spending. Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution which limits its military capacity to mostly defensive measures. As per local reports, the additional spending will be mainly aimed at "counterstrike" capacity, that is weapons that can target enemy missile launch sites and described by Tokyo as defensive. Kishida also told the parliament that counterstrike capacity was one of several options being weighed. "This is being studied within the bounds of the constitution and international law," he said. People of the country also seem to be in favour of increasing defence spending. In a poll published by the Kyodo news agency, over 60 per cent of respondents want the country to obtain "counterstrike capability". × However, the problem arises in the area of funds. Higher taxes is not an option as even Kishida's LDP is not in favour of increasing taxes. The country's economy is seeing a downturn owing to an ageing and shrinking population, besides the post-pandemic recovery and fallout from the war in Ukraine. Hamada said Monday that Kishida has asked the government to find a way to boost spending, the issue of costs notwithstanding. "(We will) secure the necessary budget by coming up quickly with various approaches, instead of just saying we can't because there aren't sufficient financial resources," he quoted the prime minister as saying. A third of respondents in the Kyodo poll said that the government should cut expenses in other areas to raise funds for increased defence spending. Just over 22 per cent backed increased corporate taxes, and 13 per cent favour the issuing of government bonds. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Amid changing geopolitical landscape, Japan plans to boost defence budget