What Happened
Tokyo Prioritizes Capability Over Specific Budget Goal
Japan is expected to skip the 3.5% of GDP defense spending target demanded by the Trump administration in its upcoming national security documents. Instead, the government plans to substantially increase defense outlays combined with related expenditures, aiming to secure US understanding by demonstrating a commitment to bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities. The decision is driven by fiscal constraints and the potential need for tax increases, as reported by The Asahi Shimbun.