17 February 2021
Author: Yuki Tatsumi, Stimson Center
Japan’s 2021 defence budget is set to be its largest ever, continuing a near decade-long trend set in motion by former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Under Abe’s watch, Japan has increased its defence budget every year since 2005. The uptick in spending has continued since Abe left office in September 2020 last December, the Ministry of Defense released its revised budget request for the 2021 fiscal year totalling approximately 5.3 trillion yen (US$50.2 billion).
This upward trend has at times been sensationalised as a return to militarism, with critics pointing to new capabilities introduced during Abe’s tenure. Recent examples include the indigenous development of long-range surface-to-air missiles and other ‘standoff capabilities’ to replace the cancelled Aegis Ashore missile defence program. The Aegis system will be replaced with destroyers and long-range cruise missiles based on the surface-to-air missiles already
Marines from 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines coordinated fixed wing close air support at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, successfully dropping 12 inert MK76s from F18s, a first in recent history for the installation, January 14. Close air,
9 CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Dec. 17, 2020) – U.S. Army Garrison Japan welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Justin E. Turner as the garrison’s new command sergeant major during an assumption of responsibility ceremony here Dec. 17.
Col. Thomas Matelski, commander of USAG Japan, said Turner has already done an excellent job of learning about his new job and Japan since he arrived.
“You’ve been very willing to jump into things from the start,” Matelski said. “… I have no doubt that you’re going to do a great job here. You’re joining a top-notch organization, a great garrison family.”
Turner said he looks forward to serving with Matelski.