'Defense of Japan 2026' White Paper Codifies Counterstrike Buildup, Record FY2027 Budget Request

Japan's Defense Ministry released its annual white paper 'Defense of Japan 2026' on August 4, 2026, formally advancing the country's shift toward 'counterstrike capabilities' — including development of air- and ship-launched variants of the Type 25 anti-ship missile (deployed in Kumamoto Prefecture in March 2026 with 1,000km range), accelerated hypersonic-missile research, expanded AI and unmanned-systems programs, and incorporation of space into operational doctrine. The Ministry said it will request a record ¥8.9 trillion (~$56 billion) defense budget for FY2027. The paper frames rearmament as intertwined with industrial and economic policy, and cites China's expanding military reach in the Pacific as the primary driver.