Japan Denies Reports of U.S. Demand to Raise Defense Spending to 3.5% of GDP: "No Such Request"

On Reports of 2+2 Meeting Cancellation:
"Schedule Not Yet Set"

The Japanese government has denied reports that the United States demanded Japan raise its defense spending to 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, made this statement during a press conference on the morning of June 23.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Regarding reports that the United States is pressuring its Asian allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, Hayashi stated, "Our position remains unchanged that what matters is not the amount, but the substance of our defense capabilities." He added, "First and foremost, we intend to steadily advance the fundamental strengthening of our defense capabilities," reaffirming Japan's commitment to its current defense spending plan, which sets the budget at 2% of GDP by 2027. Japan's defense-related budget for this year is approximately 1.8% of GDP.

Hayashi also addressed reports that Japan canceled the U.S.-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministers' (2+2) meeting, which was scheduled for July 1, in response to U.S. demands. He stated, "The schedule for the 2+2 meeting has not been set." He continued, "The government will continue to work closely with the United States to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance."

On June 21, the British daily Financial Times (FT) reported that Elbridge Colby, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, recently asked Japan to raise its defense spending from the current 3% to 3.5% of GDP. The report also stated that the Japanese government and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pushed back against this request and canceled the U.S.-Japan 2+2 meeting. Additionally, it was reported that the Japanese government made this decision with the upcoming House of Councillors (upper house) election, scheduled for July 20, in mind.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is scheduled to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24-25. Since U.S. President Donald Trump will also be attending the NATO summit, there is speculation that the two leaders may meet to discuss the U.S.-Japan defense spending issue.