Japan's Ministry of Defense has requested a budget of 8.9 trillion yen for fiscal year 2027, a new all-time high, potentially approaching 10 trillion yen if projects whose amounts have not yet been disclosed are included. The increase in military spending has drawn criticism and concerns regarding the evolution of Japan's defense policy, reflecting a gradual shift in the orientation of the country's military capabilities and raising questions about the limits established by the Japanese Constitution.
The budget increase is not limited to a purely defensive defense logic, pointing to investments aimed at modernizing and expanding Japanese military capabilities. This evolution is presented as part of a transformation of Japan's security policy, with implications for the strategic balance in the region.
According to a poll released in Japan in early August, 76% of respondents expressed support for maintaining the three "anti-nuclear principles" and 77% believed Japan should not seek a form of nuclear "sharing" with the United States. These results reflect significant public support for maintaining current Japanese nuclear policy.
The evolution of Japan's defense policy has also drawn reservations from neighboring countries, in a context marked by security issues in East Asia and memories associated with Japan's military past. The text warns of the risks of a possible intensification of this trend and argues that security decisions must take into account both Japan's constitutional commitments and the concerns expressed by the population and countries in the region.
