Japan's defense budget nears 2% of GDP as Trump pressure looms

Funding for stepped up spending in question with income tax hike paused

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Japan's defense spending for fiscal 2025 will total roughly $70 billion. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)

SHINNOSUKE NAGATOMI

TOKYO -- Japan's defense budget will rise to nearly 2% of the economy this fiscal year, but the government is likely to face pressure from the Trump administration to expand spending further despite the bump.

Japan's Ministry of Defense reported Tuesday that the share of defense-related spending will account for 1.8% of the country's gross domestic product in fiscal 2025, up 0.2 point from the previous fiscal year. The government has set a goal of reaching 2% in fiscal 2027.

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