Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking a record budget of over 8 trillion yen for fiscal 2025 to enhance security measures, including the deployment of drones for remote island protection amid rising tensions with China. This budget request would exceed the previous record of 7.9 trillion yen allocated for fiscal 2024.
The focus of the budget allocation would be on acquiring attack drones to safeguard the strategically significant Nansei island chain, particularly in light of its proximity to Taiwan. The deployment of combat drones is seen as pivotal in strengthening Japan’s “unmanned defense capabilities” and is expected to play a crucial role in future military operations.
In response to escalating security challenges posed by countries like North Korea and Russia, Japan is committed to increasing its defense spending significantly. The government aims to almost double annual defense expenditures to about 2 percent of GDP over the next five years, marking a significant departure from past budget caps.
© KYODO