Much attention was focused on how the draft of the government's economic and fiscal reform policy would refer to an increase in defense spending. Released Tuesday, the draft of the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform ultimately did not specify the range of increase, but did refer to the fact that each member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization aims to boost defense spending to more than 2% of their gross domestic product.
The draft policy can therefore be interpreted as hinting at a significant jump in defense spending.
"We must discuss what is needed to protect people's lives and livelihoods" with regard to the defense budget, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the House of Councillors Budget Committee on Tuesday.
