Halted for now: plan to set defense spending at 3.5% of GDP Japan's plan to set defense spending at 3.5% of GDP put on hold due to 'consumption tax cut' policy The plan to set defense spending at 3.5% of GDP has been put on hold.

The Japanese government has decided not to include a goal of spending 3.5% of its GDP on defense in the "Three Security Documents", a set of national security plans. Instead, it will increase other defense-related costs to show its commitment to strengthening its military and gain understanding from the US. The decision is reportedly due to fiscal concerns, as increasing defense spending to 3.5% of GDP would require significant tax hikes.

Japan's current defense budget is around 11 trillion yen, and it plans to maintain a 2% GDP ratio for defense spending.