North Korea Condemns Japan’s Plan to Increase Defense Spending to Record Levels

Darwin, August 23: North Korea has strongly criticized Japan’s plan to increase its defense budget to a record level, warning that higher military spending could further escalate security tensions in East Asia and create greater regional instability.

The remarks were made in a commentary published by North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday. Citing the report, Anadolu Agency said Japan’s Defense Ministry plans to request approximately 8.9 trillion yen (about $56 billion) for the 2027 fiscal year. The figure could rise to as much as 10 trillion yen (around $63 billion) after the budget process is completed.

According to the report, Tokyo is strengthening the military capabilities of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, citing growing regional security threats. Pyongyang has claimed that the move is gradually transforming the force into one capable of launching “preemptive strikes.”

KCNA said Japan’s planned defense spending includes the development of submarine-launched hypersonic missiles, deployment of offensive drones, the use of artificial intelligence in military command systems, and the acquisition of longer-range missiles.

The state-run news agency also pointed to Japan’s planned acquisition of long-range strike weapons, including US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, as evidence that Tokyo is moving away from its post-war pacifist policy.

Japan’s spending plan is part of a five-year defense buildup program covering the 2023–2027 fiscal years. The program allocates a total of 43 trillion yen (approximately $270 billion) for defense spending.

Japan has steadily increased its defense expenditure since adopting a new national security strategy in 2022. Tokyo has justified the buildup by citing potential security threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

Japan’s growing military capabilities could further intensify the arms race in East Asia. China has also previously criticized Japan’s expansion of its military strength.

Source: Anadolu Agency