Japan’s Defense Ministry has requested a record 8.9 trillion yen (approximately $55.6 billion) budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a strong emphasis on the development of attack drones, artificial intelligence, and new warfare capabilities.
The preliminary budget request represents a slight increase from the 8.8 trillion yen allocated for the current fiscal year. According to defense officials, the final budget figure is expected to rise further once Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government officially adopts a new national security and defense strategy later this year.
The planned investments are designed to strengthen Japan’s counterstrike capabilities and adapt its military posture to evolving regional threats. The ministry aims to modernize the country’s defense infrastructure by heavily integrating unmanned aerial systems, AI-driven technologies, and advanced missile platforms into its operational framework.
AA