Azernews.Az

North Korea has criticized Japan’s planned increase in defense spending, warning that Tokyo’s record military budget could further escalate tensions and instability in East Asia.

In a commentary published Saturday, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Japan’s Defense Ministry plans to request around 8.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) for fiscal 2027. The final allocation could rise to approximately 10 trillion yen ($63 billion) during the budget approval process.

Pyongyang accused Tokyo of using concerns over regional security threats to expand the capabilities of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and gradually transform them into what it described as “preemptive attack forces.”

According to KCNA, Japan’s proposed defense spending includes the development of underwater-launched hypersonic missiles, the deployment of attack drones, the integration of artificial intelligence into military command systems and the acquisition of additional long-range missiles.

North Korea also criticized Japan’s procurement of long-range strike weapons, including US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, arguing that such acquisitions demonstrate Tokyo’s departure from its postwar pacifist policy.

Japan’s planned spending forms part of its broader five-year defense buildup program, which allocates 43 trillion yen ($270 billion) for fiscal 2023–2027.

Tokyo has steadily increased defense spending since adopting a revised national security strategy in 2022, citing growing security challenges posed by China, North Korea and Russia.

Japan’s expanding military capabilities have prompted concern among some analysts that the buildup could contribute to a broader arms race in East Asia. China has also repeatedly criticized Japan’s increased defense spending and the expansion of its long-range strike capabilities.

North Korea, meanwhile, c