Koizumi Orders All Options Considered to Boost Defense

Koizumi issued the instruction at the first meeting of a new ministry panel on promoting defence reform, with a view to moving up the planned revision of the country's three key national security documents.

"It's essential to further strengthen our defence capabilities in areas such as new fighting methods, including drones, and the ability to withstand prolonged battles," the minister said.

The new panel's members include senior ministry bureaucrats and the chiefs of staff of the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defence Forces.

The three key documents, compiled in December 2022, include a target of raising defence spending to 2 per cent of gross domestic product in fiscal 2027.

In her policy address to the Diet on Friday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she aims to achieve the 2 pct target this fiscal year and revise the documents next year.