By Sun Wenzhu

The Japanese government recently approved the fiscal 2025 budget at a cabinet meeting, with the defense budget reaching a record 8.70 trillion yen ($55 billion), a 9.4% increase from fiscal year 2024. Since fiscal year 2023, Japan's defense budget has consecutively surpassed the 6 trillion, 7 trillion, and 8 trillion yen thresholds, increasing significantly year after year.

According to Japanese media reports, the focus of Japan's defense budget for fiscal year 2025 is on enhancing its so-called "counterstrike capabilities." Specifically, the defense budget for the new fiscal year will primarily be allocated to three key areas.

The first is to enhance long-range standoff strike capabilities. To this end, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (JMOD) has requested a budget increase of 32% compared to fiscal year 2024. It plans to allocate 297.6 billion yen ($1.88 billion) for the development of hypersonic missiles and the construction of related production facilities and 283.2 billion yen ($1.79 billion) for the establishment of a satellite constellation system. The system will deploy multiple small satellites to enable the detection and tracking of targets such as warships, vessels, and missiles.

The second is to purchase large quantities of weapons and equipment. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) plans to place bulk orders for attack drones. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will allocate 428.8 billion yen ($2.71 billion) to purchase three new multi-purpose frigates and one submarine, and spend 135.9 billion yen ($859 million) on reconnaissance aircraft and other planes. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) plans to allocate 242.7 billion yen ($1.53 billion) for the procurement of transport aircraft, refueling aircraft, and trainer aircraft, and for upgrading existing fighter jets. In addition, the JASDF will spend 205.2 billion yen ($1.29 billion) to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the US and 108.7 billion yen ($687 million) for joint development with the UK and Italy of the next-generation stealth fighter.

The third is to strengthen space and cyber combat capabilities. For fiscal year 2025, the JMOD has requested a budget increase of 115% for space operations and 29% for cyber operations compared to the previous year. The budget includes 123.8 billion yen ($782 million) for the research and development of next-generation military communication satellites, and the establishment of a new Space Operations Squadron. At the same time, the JMOD plans to invest 97 billion yen ($613 million) in the establishment of a cloud system, which will serve as a unified command platform to facilitate information and intelligence sharing.

Since the end of WWII, Japan's right-wing force has never abandoned its pursuit of becoming a major political and military power. However, the provisions in Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, which renounce war, prohibit the use of force and forbid maintaining land, sea, air, and other military forces, have become an obstacle to the right-wing's aspirations. However, in recent years, Japan has made significant adjustments to its security policies, continuously increased defense spending and vigorously developed offensive capabilities, which in fact has undermined its pacifist constitution. These actions of Japan have not only caused anxiety among its own citizens but will also introduce factors of instability to regional peace.

Japan's military buildup is largely driven by the implicit approval and backing from the US. To advance its so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy," the US has consistently eased military restrictions on Japan. In 2024, the US and Japan significantly updated the US-Japan Security Treaty. The positioning of the US-Japan relationship has evolved from a defensive alliance, where the US plays a dominant role and Japan acts as a loyal supporter, to a more integrated military alliance that encompasses both offensive and defensive capabilities. Japan is willing to act as the "henchman" of the US, aiming to use this opportunity to expand its influence on the international stage and become a "normal country" with military capabilities. However, if Japan becomes a nation capable of war without fully reflecting on its WWII aggression, the Asia-Pacific region will face significant security threats.

While strengthening military cooperation with the US, Japan is also using military alliances to court so-called "like-minded" countries. Since 2022, Japan has signed Reciprocal Access Agreements (RAA) with Australia, the UK, and the Philippines, forming quasi-alliance relationships.

Given Japan's not-too-distant history of militarist aggression, Japan's military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. For Japan, the correct choice is to truly respect the security concerns of its neighbors, learn from historical lessons, act prudently in the field of military security, and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the larger international community through concrete actions.

(The author is from China Institute of International Studies.)