NATO head applauds Japan’s efforts to increase defence spending

• Japan to quadruple defense expenditure.
• Japan is proposing (a military budget) to meet the NATO norm.
• Japan’s plans will execute by the fiscal year 2027.

NATO‘s president praised Japan’s intention to quadruple defense expenditure on Wednesday, saying the pledge underlined the country’s determination to increase its security role in a turbulent world.

Jens Stoltenberg, speaking in Tokyo, said Japan’s increasing focus on security made the country “even more” of a partner “for peace.”

“I am pleased that Japan is proposing (a military budget) to meet the NATO norm of 2% of GDP allocated to defense,” he said during a speech at Tokyo’s Keio University.

Japan has capped military spending at approximately 1% of GDP for decades, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet approved a new security strategy late last year, including plans to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by the fiscal year 2027.

“This proves that Japan values international security,” Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.

Rising Chinese and North Korean threats, as well as Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, have fueled public support for increased military spending in Japan.

Stoltenberg emphasized that Russia’s war was a global issue that affected Asia’s security environment.

He claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “completely miscalculated Ukraine” and the country’s NATO allies’ strong unity in support of it.

While emphasizing that NATO does not regard China as an opponent, he said Beijing’s military buildup and goals were a concern that needed to be addressed.

“Today, the global order that has served us so well for so long is in jeopardy. Moscow and Beijing are leading the charge against the autocratic rule “Stoltenberg explained.

“In a more hazardous world, Japan can count on NATO to be there for them,” he said.

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