The United States and Japan are significantly increasing their defense budgets, prompting concerns about escalating tensions in East Asia. Both nations are allocating record amounts to military spending, citing regional security challenges.
In the United States, defense spending for fiscal year 2024 is projected to reach $886.3 billion, up nearly $30 billion from the previous year. This surge is aimed at addressing “vital national security priorities,” including strategic competition with other global powers and advancements in disruptive technologies such as hypersonic weapons and artificial intelligence.
Despite this unprecedented allocation, there are calls for additional funding. Pentagon officials have requested supplemental budgets to support partner nations and invest further in the defense industrial base. Critics note that domestic issues, such as veterans’ homelessness affecting approximately 650,000 individuals, may be overlooked amid the focus on defense.
Japan is also bolstering its military capabilities. The government has approved a 16 percent increase in defense spending for 2024, amounting to 7 trillion yen ($52 billion). Over the next five years, Japan plans to spend 43 trillion yen ($300 billion) to enhance its defense forces, potentially making it the third-largest military spender globally.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has maintained that Japan’s pacifist principles remain unchanged, even as the nation seeks to export weapons and military components. This substantial increase in military expenditure marks a significant shift in Japan’s defense policy, which has traditionally been restrained since the end of World War II.
The combined escalation of military spending by the United States and Japan raises questions about the potential impact on regional stability. Neighboring countries are watching these developments closely, as the balance of power in East Asia continues to evolve.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
