Japan's government recently approved its record-setting fiscal year 2026 budget, with total spending topping ¥122.3 trillion. Defense outlays continue their climb for the 14th straight year, hitting ¥9.04 trillion. 🇯🇵💸
Key highlights:
- 🛢️ Ammo depots: ¥56 billion for 130 storage sites by 2032; 65 locations already picked in Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima & Okinawa.
- 🤖 Drone shield: a coastal defense network built around unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aka drones.
- 🚀 Next-gen firepower: procuring hypersonic missiles & upgraded Type-12 anti-ship missiles.
- 🛰️ Space in the mix: renaming the Air Self-Defense Force to Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force + new Space Operations Group (880 personnel).
- 🪖 More boots on the ground: Okinawa's 15th Brigade will level up to a full division.
Local voices are speaking up. In Satsuma Town (Kagoshima), residents worry ammo sites could make them targets. A protester told China Media Group that it "completely undermines people's livelihoods … some can't even buy rice anymore." 🍚💔
Experts say Japan's defense push – aiming for about 3% of GDP – may be shifting focus from peace to potential conflict. With debates on how to fund this surge (bonds, taxes, you name it), young people across Asia are weighing public safety vs. social welfare. 🤔
Up next: the Diet's January 2026 session, where lawmakers will decide if the plan goes ahead. Stay tuned! 🔔
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
