Reference News Network, November 29 report: According to the "Nikkei Shimbun," on November 28, the Japanese government approved the supplementary budget for fiscal year 2025 at a cabinet meeting. This will increase defense spending by more than 1 trillion yen (about 6.5 billion US dollars), thus achieving the target of accounting for 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) ahead of schedule.

The report states that the Ministry of Defense allocated 847.2 billion yen in this supplementary budget, of which 122.2 billion yen is used for purchasing patrol ships, submarines, and other equipment. Another 56.6 billion yen will be used to purchase missiles, such as the improved 03-type medium-range surface-to-air missile, which can intercept aircraft and missiles.

Adding other public works fees, research fees, and related funds available for national security across various ministries and agencies, the total defense-related expenses in this supplementary budget exceed 1 trillion yen. Along with the initial budget of 9.9252 trillion yen, the total defense-related expenses for fiscal year 2025 will reach about 11 trillion yen. Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro clearly stated at a press conference on the 28th: "Defense spending will reach 2% of GDP."

The report states that Prime Minister Takayoshi Kishida announced in her policy speech in October that she aims to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by fiscal year 2025. The current defense force reorganization plan originally aimed for fiscal year 2027. She explained to U.S. President Trump that this goal would be achieved two years earlier, gaining U.S. approval of Japan's enhanced defense efforts.

The supplementary budget amount prepared by the Ministry of Defense was around 200 billion yen in the early 2010s. After fiscal year 2018, it exceeded 400 billion yen, and after fiscal year 2023, it expanded to over 800 billion yen. (Translated by Zhang Haibo)

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