Japan Approves Record Military Budget

Japan approved a record $55.1 billion defense budget for the 2025 fiscal year on Friday, marking the nation’s 11th annual increase in a row.

Years of increases: Japan’s defense spending steadily increased between the years 2012 and 2022, rising from $29.8 billion to $34.2 billion. In 2023, defense spending leaped to a stunning $43.2 billion. The acceleration didn’t stop there. In 2024, it rose to $50.3 billion.

Now the nation has added nearly $5 billion more to that soaring figure. Japan is militarizing at an alarming rate, and the trajectory is continuing upward.

Growing division: Meanwhile, tensions between the Japanese population and the U.S. military’s presence in Okinawa are rising. Over 2,500 Okinawa residents gathered on Sunday to protest sexual assaults on locals by U.S. servicemen on the island. This follows a plan to relocate U.S. marines off of Okinawa that was put into action last week. But for the protesters, the relocation is not happening fast enough.

Reduced reliance: After its defeat in World War ii, Japan was forced to demilitarize and rely on the U.S. for military protection. But over the years, the nation has quietly rebuilt its military power.

It is also becoming less trusting of America and seeks to become more independent. Dramatically increasing its military spending is a key way to accomplish military independence.

Japan is ignoring the constraints placed on it after the war and stepping toward a new age of military independence and strength.

Prophetic perspective: The Bible prophesies of a coming Asian military alliance that will be bigger than any the world has ever seen. Japan is prophesied to play a significant role in this military bloc. This is why the Trumpet closely watches as Japan takes steps to decrease its dependence on America and to develop its own military.

Learn more: Read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Japan’s March Toward Militarism.”