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Japan's Defense Budget Hits Record Amid Rising Tensions

12/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Japan's Cabinet approved a record defense budget of 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal 2026, up 9.4% from the prior year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan's Self-Defense Force must be ready for potential military involvement as tensions with China over Taiwan rise.
The budget funds unmanned systems and long-range missiles, and the plan requires parliamentary approval to reach 2% of GDP in defense spending by March 2024.

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Story summary

Japan's Cabinet approved a record defense budget of 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal 2026, up 9.4% from the prior year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan's Self-Defense Force must be ready for potential military involvement as tensions with China over Taiwan rise.
The budget funds unmanned systems and long-range missiles, and the plan requires parliamentary approval to reach 2% of GDP in defense spending by March 2024.