According to a report by the Japanese news agency on the 23rd, the Japanese government passed the draft government budget for the 2024 fiscal year at a cabinet meeting on the 22nd. The total amount of the draft budget is 112.07 trillion yen, of which the defense budget is a record high of 7.9496 trillion yen. The passage of this budget undoubtedly shows the Japanese Government's determination and commitment to strengthening national security.
Japan's draft government budget for fiscal year 2024 once again exceeds 110 trillion yen, a figure that reflects the fiscal strength of the Japanese government and the soundness of its economic development. However, what deserves our attention is the significant increase in the defense budget among them. Compared to the previous fiscal year, the defense budget increased by 16.5% year-on-year, which is not a significant increase.
The increase in the defense budget means that the Japanese government has further increased its investment in national security. In terms of the specific content of the budget, the R&D budget for defense equipment is as high as 822.5 billion yen, which includes the cost of jointly developing next-generation fighters with the United Kingdom and Italy, which is about 64 billion yen. In addition, 734 billion yen was spent on the development and deployment of long-range missiles, which also shows Japan's determination to modernize its weapons and equipment.
The Japanese Government has not hesitated to invest in strengthening the missile defense network. The 373.1 billion yen will be spent on the construction of two Aegis ships to replace the land-based Aegis anti-missile system. This move will undoubtedly enhance Japan's missile defense capability and make it more secure in the face of potential threats.
In addition to investing in equipment and defense, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are also adjusting and optimizing their organizational structure. In fiscal year 2024, the Self-Defense Forces will establish a new permanent organization that will command the Army, Navy, and Air Force and cyber forces, tentatively named the "Joint Operations Command," with a size of about 240 personnel. The establishment of this body will help enhance the SDF's joint operations capabilities and rapid response capabilities, making it more effective in responding to various security threats.
At the same time, Japan will also spend 21.7 billion yen to establish a new "Defense Innovation Technology Research Institute" to develop new types of equipment that will change the way it fights. This move heralds Japan's forward-looking layout for future warfare, and is intended to enhance the combat effectiveness of the Self-Defense Forces and the ability to cope with complex security challenges through technological innovation.
In the defense of the southwest, Japan will also make new moves. In order to strengthen the maritime transport capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces, Japan will establish a new "Self-Defense Forces Maritime Transport Group." The move is aimed at increasing the SDF's rapid deployment and material transportation capabilities in the southwest, and further strengthening its control and influence in the region.
Overall, the Japanese government has significantly increased the defense budget in the draft government budget for fiscal year 2024, and has made key investments and layouts in various aspects such as equipment research and development, missile defense, and organizational structure adjustment. The adoption of this budget not only shows that the Japanese government attaches great importance to national security, but also reflects its in-depth thinking and active response to the future security environment.
However, we also need to recognize that an increase in the defence budget does not mean that investment and development in other areas of society can be neglected. How to maintain social harmony and sustainable economic development while ensuring national security is a challenge that the Japanese government needs to face. At the same time, the international community needs to pay attention to the direction of Japan's defense policy in order to seek more transparency and predictability in this sensitive area.
In summary, the draft government budget for fiscal year 2024 adopted by the Japanese government is a complex policy document that not only includes multiple considerations such as national security and economic development, but also reflects Japan's ambition and determination for future development. Through in-depth analysis and interpretation, we can better understand Japan's strategic choices and policy trends in the current international environment.