Japan's defence expenditure is forecast by Janes Defence Budgets to accelerate strongly through this decade. (Janes Defence Budgets)
Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested a 2025 defence budget of JPY8.54 trillion (USD58.5 billion) to support its bid to modernise the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) amid growing regional threats.
According to MoD figures published on 30 August, the proposed expenditure is a 10.5% increase over 2024's request of JPY7.72 trillion in 2024. The budget request will be submitted to the finance ministry for approval before the expenditure is finalised in late December.
Build-up plan
Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said in a press briefing that the requested 2025 defence budget is aligned with Japan's Defense Buildup Program (DBP), launched in late 2022.
“2025 is the third year of the defence buildup plan,” Kihara said in comments published by the MoD. “Strengthening of defence capabilities has progressed smoothly, but we must continue to remain vigilant and steadily and swiftly implement necessary projects to further strengthen Japan's defence and deterrent capabilities.”
Accordingly, the requested 2025 defence budget plans investment across a range of capability themes highlighted by the DBP as necessary for the JSDF.
Stand-off defence capabilities receive JPY970 billion in the proposed 2025 defence budget and integrated air and missile defence is allocated JPY537 billion. Unmanned systems receive JPY103 billion, command-and-control and “intelligence-related functions” are allocated JPY407 billion, and ammunition receives JPY344 billion.
Cross-domain operational capabilities will receive JPY1.63 trillion, with the majority allocated for “vehicles, vessels, and aircraft”. Cross-domain capabilities also include JPY227 billion for space and JPY265 billion for cyber.
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