Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks at a press conference in April 15, 2025. Photo: Jiji Press
Japan's planned total defense-related spending under the government's budget for fiscal 2025, which started this month, totals 9.9 trillion yen, with the proportion of the defense costs reaching 1.8 pct of the nation's gross domestic product for fiscal 2022 and 1.6 pct of its estimated GDP for fiscal 2025.
"Our efforts are making steady progress," Nakatani said, adding, "We will continue to work hard to thoroughly beef up our country's defense capabilities."
In its National Security Strategy, the government aims to raise the proportion of defense spending to fiscal 2022 GDP to 2 pct by fiscal 2027.
