Japan's Defense Ministry has requested a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) budget for the next year to enhance its deterrence capabilities on southwestern islands in response to China's increasing threat. The focus is on unmanned weapons and AI technologies to compensate for the declining number of servicemembers due to Japan's shrinking population.
This budget request is part of Japan's five-year military buildup plan, aiming to double its annual military spending to around 10 trillion yen by 2027. The ministry's proposal for 2025 includes allocating a significant portion towards bolstering strike-back capability through the development and acquisition of long-range missiles and equipment for their launch.
Japan is particularly concerned about China's military activities in the region, such as clashes with the Philippine coast guards in the South China Sea and violations of territorial waters around Japanese-controlled disputed islands in the East China Sea.
To address the challenge of a shrinking troop size, Japan is focusing on the development and procurement of drones for surveillance and combat purposes. Combat drones are seen as crucial in reducing human losses in combat situations and are considered a key element of Japan's military modernization efforts.
The Defense Ministry is also looking to introduce AI surveillance systems at 40 Self-Defense Force bases across Japan to enhance operational efficiency and free up manpower. Additionally, reforms are being proposed to improve salary, working conditions, training opportunities, and support for working mothers to attract more women to the defense forces.
Despite these efforts, the Self-Defense Force has been struggling to meet its recruitment targets, with a declining number of young applicants and high turnover rates among mid-career personnel. The ministry acknowledges the challenges posed by Japan's aging and shrinking population and emphasizes the need to adapt to new ways of operating while strengthening defense capabilities.
In light of recent scandals involving sexual assaults, harassment, and abuse of power within the ministry, there is a renewed focus on accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct. The ministry's internal investigation highlighted the need for a culture of responsibility and integrity to address these issues effectively.
