Japan casts military buildup as path to economic prosperity

Japan's government is framing its expanding military capabilities as a means to fuel economic growth and improve the lives of its citizens, according to the country's latest defence white paper. The document, released by the Tokyo-based Defence Ministry, argues that arms production can stimulate economic development and bolster the nation's prosperity.

The annual assessment of potential threats posed by neighboring China, Russia, and North Korea calls for Japan to leverage technology, fund startups, and incorporate more commercial components in weapons production. This message aligns with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's broader use of strategic state spending to stimulate economic growth.

The white paper's anime-style cover, featuring a smiling family in a gleaming cityscape, is intended to convey a futuristic image, emphasizing the link between defence and future prosperity. As the Kishida administration prepares a new national security strategy, military experts anticipate further spending increases aimed primarily at deterring China from initiating conflict with Taiwan, a scenario that could potentially involve Japan.

Beijing reacted strongly to Kishida's November comments suggesting Japan could deploy its Self-Defense Forces in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan that threatened Japan's survival, demanding a retraction of the statement as "egregious." Japan has been financing its largest military buildup since World War Two through a patchwork of tax increases, spending reforms, and one-off revenues, pushing defence-related spending to 2% of gross domestic product.

However, the government has yet to clearly explain how it would fund further expansion without placing additional strain on Japan's already strained public finances. Most recent defence spending has been allocated to missiles capable of striking targets over 1,000 kilometers away, with a significant share of any additional increase expected to go toward drones and other unmanned weapons, similar to those deployed extensively by Ukraine in its war with Russia.