(Tokyo Comprehensive News) Ahead of US President Trump's visit to Japan next Monday, Japanese media reported that new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to achieve the goal of 2% of GDP for defense spending two years ahead of schedule.
Takaichi is expected to announce the goal of achieving 2% of GDP for defense spending in her first policy speech to the Diet on Friday (October 24th). Japanese media reported that she also pledged to revise three key defense and security policy documents by the end of 2026.
To counter China's influence, Washington has been pressing Japan to do more on defense. Japan's previous goal was to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by fiscal 2027-28.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday (22nd) that Tokyo will convey to Trump that Japan's top priority is to fundamentally strengthen its defense capabilities.
According to Japanese media reports, Takaichi will say on Friday that China is an important neighbor and that it is necessary to develop a stable and constructive relationship with Beijing. At the same time, she will express Japan's concerns regarding security and economic security.
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Upon taking office, Takaichi pledged to address inflation, a major concern for the Japanese public. Her policy speech will emphasize that the new government will promote responsible and proactive fiscal policies, adhere to fiscal discipline, and balance investment in economic security, food and energy, as well as growth sectors such as artificial intelligence and chips.
Takaichi's government is developing an economic stimulus plan to alleviate the burden of inflation on households and businesses. It is reported that the scale of this stimulus package may exceed the 13.9 trillion yen (approximately S$120 billion) additional budget approved by the Ishiba Shigeru administration last year.
Japanese media reported that in addition to attracting investment, Takaichi will also actively develop the financial sector, improve Japan's investment environment, and transform Japan into an asset management nation.
Growing Japanese people are dissatisfied with the lagging global trend in living standards and the influx of foreigners into Japan, as well as concerned about rising regional security tensions. The high support for the Takaichi government reflects their eagerness for the new government to address these current challenges.
A Yomiuri Shimbun poll released Thursday showed that Takaichi's cabinet had a 71% approval rating, the fifth highest in similar surveys since 1978. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet had a support rate of only 34% in September.
The survey shows that the Kaohsiung City government enjoys strong support among young and middle-aged people. Support among those aged 18 to 39 has increased to 80%, five times the Ishiba government's approval rating in September.
The Kaohsiung City government's support among those aged 40 to 50 has also jumped to 75%, up from 29% previously.
