TOKYO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Tuesday approved a draft proposal on revising the country's three key security documents later this year, local media reported.
According to Kyodo News, the proposal, formalized at the party's decision-making General Council, called for securing necessary funding to transform Japan's defense capabilities within five years.
Although it stopped short of setting a specific defense spending goal, the proposal cited examples of countries targeting defense budgets above 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), fueling concern over a potential further increase in Japan's defense outlays.
The LDP plans to submit the proposal to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later this month. The government will then draw on recommendations from an expert panel this fall before formally revising the three key security documents through a cabinet decision by the end of the year.
Japan's current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, set a goal of gradually hiking the country's defense-related spending to 2 percent of GDP by fiscal 2027. Since taking office, however, Takaichi has accelerated that timeline, meeting the target ahead of schedule in fiscal 2025.
The prospect of a further sharp increase in defense spending has sparked widespread concern in Japan. In comments posted on related news reports, many netizens argued that significantly boosting military expenditures would do little to enhance public security. Instead, it would place a heavier burden on people's livelihoods.
A recent editorial by Mainichi Shimbun warned that expanding defense capabilities beyond the country's means could undermine people's well-being. It argued that Japan should pursue a comprehensive strategy, including diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, rather than relying solely on military buildup. ■
