It authorizes Japan spending more than 1 trillion yen ($8billion) on U.S. troops in Japan. This is in response to China and North Korea increasing their threat in the region.
The host nation support budget of 1.05 trillion yen (8.6 billion dollars) covers the purchase and maintenance of advanced weapons and utilities for their joint military exercises. It also provides funding for the U.S. troops stationed in Japan and their Japanese staff working at American bases throughout the country until March 2027.
The new five-year budget contains a new funding category, up to 20 billion Japanese yen ($164 Million) for the purchase advanced virtual combat training systems that will be used in joint exercises between the two forces.
The fiscal 2022 national defense budget includes the roughly 200 billion yen ($1.6billion) for the first year. It is a record 5.4 trillionyen ($44 Billion) and was announced in April.
Japan’s government views the support budget for host-nations as essential for strengthening the alliance and not as a source of kindness as it was once considered.
Japan has been increasing its defense budget and capabilities for over a decade. Now, it is revising its key national safety strategy to face threats from China North Korea, and Russia.
Japan is particularly concerned by Chinese military activity in the East China Sea around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. Beijing claims the islands and calls them Diaoyu.
Japan has increased its joint drills with the United States, as well as other partners like Australia, India and France. These countries share concerns about China’s territorial claims in the area, which is home to some of the busiest sea lanes in the world.