Japan has unveiled plans for its largest defense budget ever, proposing an investment of $57 billion to enhance its military capabilities.

The rationale behind this increase is clear: the document detailing the budget request states, “The international community is facing the greatest post-war trial yet, and has entered a new era of crisis.”

Approval from Japan’s Diet is required for the budget, but its passage is anticipated. The trajectory of Japan’s defense spending began under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 12 years ago and has gained momentum due to China’s assertive actions concerning Taiwan and the East and South China Seas.

This budget represents the second consecutive year of substantial increases, with a 7.4 percent rise compared to last year, as part of a comprehensive initiative to enhance and shift its military focus towards greater offensive capabilities.

In a significant strategy released in December 2022, Japan pledged to double its defense expenditure, reintroducing an aircraft carrier for the first time since World War II, acquiring hundreds of long-range cruise missiles, and implementing other measures that will transform its military from a purely defensive posture to one capable of deterring and countering threats effectively. To support this objective, the new budget outlines funding for seven key areas:

– “Stand-off defense capabilities,” particularly precision long-range weapons, with a request of $5.1 billion, including $2.2 billion for a small satellite constellation to enhance tracking and targeting for this emerging counterstrike capability.

– “Comprehensive air and missile defense capabilities” aimed at addressing threats from North Korean, Russian, and Chinese missiles, with a request of $1.7 billion.

– “Unmanned asset defense capabilities,” with a funding request of $850 million.

– “Cross-domain operational capabilities” encompassing space, cyber, and electronic warfare, although the budget documents do not provide a straightforward total for this section, with the largest item under electronic warfare being unspecified.