December 27, 2025

The Japanese government on Friday approved its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, setting total spending at a record 122.3 trillion yen (about $781 billion), according to the Ministry of Finance. Defense spending rose for the 14th consecutive year, reaching 9.04 trillion yen and once again drawing public scrutiny.

Under the proposed 2026 defense budget, around 56 billion yen has been earmarked for the construction of new ammunition depots. The Ministry of Defense also plans to build approximately 130 ammunition storage facilities nationwide by around 2032. The continued expansion of defense spending, coupled with the widespread deployment of ammunition depots, has fueled growing concern and opposition across Japanese society.

Of the planned 130 depots, construction sites for 65 have already been identified, primarily in Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures. Local resistance has emerged in several areas.

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