Pentagon says Japan must meet 'global standard' and spend 5% of GDP on defense

[Zorro]

The Pentagon has set a “global standard” for Japan and other U.S. allies to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense, in the first official confirmation that Washington is asking Tokyo to pump up its defense budget even further.

In a statement given to The Japan Times on Friday, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell pointed to a majority of NATO nations that have signed on to U.S. requests to boost defense spending to the 5% level, saying that “European allies are now setting the global standard for our alliances, especially in Asia, which is 5% of GDP spending on defense.”

Asked whether Parnell’s remarks apply specifically to Japan, a U.S. defense official said it “is inclusive for all of our allies across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan.”

Both allies had been mum on whether the U.S. would press Japan specifically to hit the 5% target, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate panel Wednesday that there is now a "new standard for allied defense spending that all of our allies around the world, including in Asia, should move to."

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/20/japan/japan-us-defense-spending-gdp/

What a way to influence friends. Japan just cancelled a high-level meeting with the administration because of this demand.

[LexVegas]

1. As a person of E. Asian descent other than Japan, this is thrilling to hear. nt

[Shipwack]

3. Why? nt

[LexVegas]

4. Sarcasm. No one in Asia wants a militarized Japan for obvious reasons. nt

[Volaris]

6. Right. Seems to me if the demand is spend more on your military,

The FIRST thing Japan is gonna do, is rebuild a blue-water navy.
I kinda remember us thinking that was a bad idea last time it happened (which is why we banned it)

[OC375]

2. China

If things get sticky over there, Japan may well be glad it upped it's spending? Still, that we need to work on our manners when working with allies on important issues.

[Ping Tung]

5. Which delights the arms dealers.

[Iggo]

7. I vote we give them some of the pentagon's money to put 'em over the top.