Politics · Japan · 21 hrs ago
Japan’s defence budget could reach ¥10 trillion, an opinion piece warns
Japan’s defence budget has been rising since the government of Fumio Kishida, and the proposed 2027 budget is about ¥9 trillion.
Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, it could eventually reach ¥10 trillion, roughly twice the previous level of about ¥5 trillion.
The commentary argues that military spending can divert money from education and investment, weakening the wider economy.
It says future cuts may be difficult because equipment purchases create long-term payment and maintenance costs.
It also warns that a larger defence industry could gain influence against cuts.
The writer calls for reducing some Ground Self-Defense Force capabilities, leaving the Japan-UK-Italy fighter programme, and easing tensions with China, but says reversing the spending increase would be difficult even after a change of government.
Japan’s proposed defence budget for fiscal 2027 is currently about ¥9 trillion and could reach ¥10 trillion, an opinion article warns.
The article says the proposed total would be double the previous level of about ¥5 trillion.
Writer Sucho Montani argues that higher military spending could weaken Japan’s economy by diverting funds from education and investment.
He also says future payments, equipment maintenance costs and the political influence of defence firms could make later cuts difficult.
The article calls for reducing some ground forces, leaving the joint GCAP fighter programme and easing tensions with China.
- Who
- Japan’s government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is preparing the budget. Writer Sucho Montani warns about its potential effects.
- What
- The fiscal 2027 defence budget is currently about ¥9 trillion and could reach ¥10 trillion.
- When
- The article was published on 8 November 2026 in Japan.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- The writer argues that increased military spending could weaken the economy and make future defence-budget cuts difficult.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Fiscal 2027 proposed defence budget
- About ¥9 trillion at present
- Possible final defence budget
- ¥10 trillion
- Previous defence spending level
- About ¥5 trillion
- Joint fighter programme
- GCAP, developed by Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy
- Article publication date
- 8 November 2026
What people are saying
Increasing defence spending cannot make society prosperous.
Military spending and economic prosperity are fundamentally in conflict.
The current choice can only accelerate Japan’s decline.