The Japanese military has presented a military budget proposal for the next fiscal year to the new government led by Prime Minister Kan Yoshihide. The program maintains the momentum of steady increases over the past nine years in response to threats from China and North Korea.
The military budget announced Wednesday (Sept. 30) represents a 3.3 percent increase over this year’s budget and totals 5.49 trillion yen, or about $52 billion, a record high. The new fiscal year begins on April 1 next year.
It is subject to review and adjustment by Japan’s Ministry of Finance before being sent to Kan’s cabinet.
Japan’s military budget has been growing steadily over the past decade. Japan has stated that the unpredictable situation in North Korea, China’s vast military resources, and territorial disputes pose a threat to Japan.
In recent years, North Korea has conducted numerous nuclear tests and missile tests, some of which have overflew Japanese airspace.
The budget, if passed, would mark a continuation of the trend of military budget increases started by Kan’s predecessor, Abe. Japan will purchase more aircraft, missiles, and aircraft carriers to further expand the operational range and capabilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to better counter China’s growing naval and air power in East Asia.
According to Reuters, Japan has proposed to develop the next-generation fighter jet at an expected cost of about $40 billion, which is scheduled to be completed by 2030. The latest allocation for this development project is $730 million.
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries may become the main contractor for the project next month. Loma, Boeing and Northrop Grumman of the U.S., as well as Britain’s AeroSpace Systems and Rolls-Royce, are also seeking to join the program.
The Japanese military also plans to procure six F-35 stealth fighters, two of which will have short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.
The Japanese military is also planning to invest 99 billion yen (about $936 million) in the construction of two new warships, which do not require conventional destroyers. The ships would not require as many sailors as traditional destroyers and would reduce the pressure on the navy to recruit soldiers. Japan’s population is aging and the pool of soldiers is severely limited.
The Japanese military also intends to upgrade its early radar warning system and ballistic missile defense system. The military has requested funding for a yet-to-be-finalized project to replace two Aegis land-based radar stations.
The Japanese government abandoned its plan to deploy the Aegis land-based missile interceptor system in June of this year due to cost issues and the impact on the population of the deployment sites. The new plan is to build a sea-based missile interceptor system. However, Japanese authorities have not yet decided whether to use ship-launched or large floating body launchers, or to use structures similar to offshore drilling rigs for the launch.
Japanese defense ministry officials say how much the system will cost cannot be determined until the government makes a final choice.
Among the big purchases included in the budget are two frigates and a submarine.
The Japanese Defense Ministry also said that the increase in the military budget is intended to boost Japan’s defense capabilities in space and cyber. The Defense Ministry believes that in both areas, Japan lags behind other world powers.
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