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Japan Considers 3.5% GDP Defense Spending Target

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 10:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Japan is considering a mid-term defense spending target of 3.5% of GDP.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raised defense spending to almost 2% of GDP for FY ending March 2026.
Analysts say a 3.5% target would need about ¥24 trillion, more than double current spending.
U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby said the United States is anxiously looking for Japan to step up.

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Story summary

Japan is considering a mid-term defense spending target of 3.5% of GDP.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raised defense spending to almost 2% of GDP for FY ending March 2026.
Analysts say a 3.5% target would need about ¥24 trillion, more than double current spending.
U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby said the United States is anxiously looking for Japan to step up.