A Matter of National Sovereignty
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has asserted that Japan's defence budget is a matter of national sovereignty and should not be dictated by other nations. This statement comes in response to comments made by Elbridge Colby, the Trump administration's nominee for under secretary of defense for policy, who urged Japan to increase its defence spending to 3% of GDP.
Ishiba emphasized that Japan has already embarked on a significant military build-up strategy, doubling its defence budget to 2% of GDP over five years. This strategy aims to counter the escalating security threats posed by China, Russia, and North Korea.
Japan's top government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, echoed Ishiba's sentiment, stating that the nation prioritizes the quality of its defence capabilities over the size of its budget. He emphasized that the substance of Japan's defence strategy is more important than simply meeting a specific GDP ratio.
Colby's admonishment of Japan and Taiwan for their perceived slowness in increasing defence spending has not been well-received by these nations. They maintain that their defence strategies are carefully calibrated to address their specific security needs and that external pressure to increase spending is unwarranted.