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Japan considers halving planned F‑35 and missile buys as finance ministry trims defense budget proposal
Japan may cut planned purchases of F‑35 fighter jets and missiles by up to 50% after its Finance Ministry proposed a defense budget well below military requests, casting doubt on the pace of Tokyo’s security buildup.
Japan’s effort to expand its military capabilities is running into resistance from its own budget planners.
Officials are weighing cuts of up to 50% in planned purchases of F‑35 fighter jets and missiles after the Finance Ministry proposed a defense budget significantly lower than what the armed forces had sought. Reporting on the proposal indicates a sizable gap between the military’s plans and what fiscal authorities are willing to fund.
Under existing strategy documents, Japan is aiming to field a substantial fleet of U.S.‑made F‑35s, including conventional takeoff variants and short takeoff models suited to operations from modified ships and shorter runways. Long‑range missiles are another pillar of the plan, intended to give Japan the ability to carry out what officials describe as counterstrike missions against launch sites that threaten the country.
If purchases of both aircraft and missiles are cut by as much as half, Japan would still move ahead with modernization but on a narrower scale and slower timeline. Air crews preparing to transition from older fighters would see fewer advanced aircraft available for training and deployment. Planners drawing up scenarios for defending long coastlines and islands would have to adjust assumptions about how many stealth jets and stand‑off weapons could be brought to bear.
The United States and other regional partners have treated Japan’s rearmament as a central factor in balancing Chinese and North Korean capabilities. Washington has encouraged Tokyo to raise defense spending and buy systems that can operate closely with U.S. forces. A reduction in the numbers of F‑35s and missiles Japan acquires would prompt alliance planners to revisit roles and burdens in the region.
Inside Japan, the budget dispute reflects pressure from high public debt, demographic strains, and demands for social spending. Political leaders have pledged to increase defense outlays, but the latest proposal from the Finance Ministry shows that each major program will still face scrutiny on cost.
The next steps will come in negotiations between the cabinet, the Self‑Defense Forces, and lawmakers as they work toward a final budget. How they prioritize specific F‑35 variants and missile types within a tighter envelope will indicate which capabilities Tokyo views as most urgent.