Story perspectives

Japan Unveils 610-Page Defense White Paper; China Decries Militarism

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Japan under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued a 610-page white paper linking military buildup to prosperity, calling for startups, commercial weapon parts and expanded strike capabilities.
China’s defence spokesperson Chen Xi called the white paper false narratives and neo-militarism, urging Tokyo not to remilitarise.
The government secured a 122.3 trillion yen budget to March 2027, a 3.1 trillion yen supplement and bought missiles over 1,000 km, with future spending earmarked for drones and unmanned weapons.

History

Historical Context

Japan’s 1947 constitution was softened by the 2001 anti-terrorism law, the 2014 cabinet reinterpretation, and the 2015 Legislation for Peace and Security that permitted collective self-defence and lifted the defense budget to 4.98 trillion yen. That change under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe now guides Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s 2024 white paper, which adds strike and drone capabilities and targets an 8.9-trillion-yen budget by 2027, raising regional tension.

1 of 2

Story summary

Japan under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued a 610-page white paper linking military buildup to prosperity, calling for startups, commercial weapon parts and expanded strike capabilities.
China’s defence spokesperson Chen Xi called the white paper false narratives and neo-militarism, urging Tokyo not to remilitarise.
The government secured a 122.3 trillion yen budget to March 2027, a 3.1 trillion yen supplement and bought missiles over 1,000 km, with future spending earmarked for drones and unmanned weapons.

1 / 2