Japan's Militarization Surge Raises Alarms Across Asia

Japan's Ministry of Defense is requesting a record-high budget of approximately 8.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) for fiscal 2027, which could climb to 10 trillion yen once unspecified items are finalized.

This surge in military spending comes as Japan systematically unravels its postwar 'exclusive defense' framework under the pretext of external threats.

The country's per capita military spending is already about three times that of China and continues to grow at a fast pace, with an aggressive escalation of weapons exports also underway.

Japan is supplying naval vessels to Australia and the Philippines, as well as Patriot air-defense interceptors back to the United States to replenish stockpiles.

The country's nuclear policy has also raised concerns, with growing government rhetoric on the need to discard its Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which has sparked alarm given Japan's devastating past militarism and failure to reckon honestly with its war crimes.