North Korea Warns Japan’s Record Defense Budget Could Bring “Turmoil”
North Korea has condemned Japan’s plan to increase defense spending to a record-high level, warning that Tokyo’s military buildup could create further instability across the region.
North Korea’s state media accused Japan of using regional security threats as a justification to expand the capabilities of its Self-Defense Forces and gradually transform them into what Pyongyang described as “preemptive attack forces.”
Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking approximately ¥8.9 trillion ($56 billion) for fiscal 2027, with the final allocation potentially reaching around ¥10 trillion after the budget approval process.
The proposed spending includes investment in long-range missiles, hypersonic weapons, attack drones and AI-enabled military systems, as well as additional U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Pyongyang warned that the expansion of Japan’s military capabilities could lead to “new turmoil” in the region and accused Tokyo of preparing for a potential “war of aggression.”
The warning comes as tensions remain elevated across Northeast Asia, while the United States is simultaneously seeking to reopen a diplomatic channel with North Korea and potentially arrange another meeting between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.
Japan’s defense buildup is part of a broader shift in its security policy following growing concerns over North Korea, China and Russia, marking a significant expansion of military capabilities compared with Japan’s postwar defense posture.