---
title: "Pyongyang calls Japan's record defense budget 'preparation for war'"
description: "On August 19, 2026, Japan proposed a record defense budget of 8.9 trillion yen (about 60 billion dollars). Through KCNA, Pyongyang called it 'preparation for war' and criticized the deployment of Tomahawk missiles."
date: 2026-08-23T12:01:21.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/pyongyang-calls-japan-record-defense-budget-preparation-for-war
tags: [japan-defense-budget, north-korea, tomahawk-missiles, military-spending, asia-pacific]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Pyongyang calls Japan's record defense budget 'preparation for war'

![Japanese surface-to-air missile system on a wheeled chassis in firing position at a headquarters building, Japan Self-Defense Force personnel standing by — record defense budget drew Pyongyang's criticism](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/23/phenyan-nazval-rekordnyj-oboronyj-byudzhet-japonii-podgotovkoj-k-vojne/phenyan-nazval-rekordnyj-oboronyj-byudzhet-japonii-podgotovkoj-k-vojne-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Japan's Ministry of Defense proposed a record defense budget of 8.9 trillion yen (about 60 billion dollars) on August 19, 2026, which may rise to 10 trillion yen.
- North Korea, through KCNA and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, called the budget increase a 'dangerous step' and 'preparation for war.'
- Pyongyang criticized Japan for deploying U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles and accused Tokyo of concealing its goal of strengthening military power under the pretext of self-defense.

### Record defense budget

On August 19, 2026, Japan's Ministry of Defense presented a draft record defense budget for the next fiscal year of 8.9 trillion yen, equivalent to approximately 60 billion dollars. According to available information, the final figure may rise to around 10 trillion yen after the budget is approved at the end of the year. Thus, even at the proposal stage, the document already marks a historic peak in defense spending.

### Pyongyang's reaction

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), citing a comment in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, stated that Japan's expansion of its military budget is a "dangerous step" that could further destabilize the region and the world. Pyongyang claims that the sharp increase in military spending will lead to the expansion of military capabilities aimed at completing preparations for war, and asserts that the international community will not accept this step and will "respond resolutely with the power of unity."

### Accusations of militarism

According to KCNA, Pyongyang asserts that Japan's spending of a significant portion of its defense budget is not directed at building a "peaceful state." North Korea accuses Tokyo of using the pretext of "defense" and "self-defense" to conceal its true goal — strengthening its military power. In this logic, the rise in spending is viewed not as a defensive measure, but as an element of an offensive rearmament.

### The Tomahawk cruise missile issue

As part of the same criticism, North Korea condemned Japan for the deployment of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles. This aspect reportedly became one of the key points in accusing Tokyo of building up offensive potential and of close military integration with its allies.

### Context and significance

Pyongyang's statement underscores the tension in relations between North Korea and Japan against the backdrop of Tokyo's rising defense spending. Although the final size of the budget has not yet been approved, even at the proposal stage it has already provoked a sharp reaction from the DPRK, indicating the region's high sensitivity to any changes in Japan's military policy.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [North Korea condemns Japan's record defense budget, calling it 'preparation for war.'](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/trieu-tien-len-an-ngan-sach-quoc-phong-ky-luc-cua-nhat-ban-la-chuan-bi-cho-chien-tranh) - Совпадает с базовым нарративом: рекордный бюджет Японии и осуждение его Пхеньяном как «подготовки к войне». Цифры бюджета и цитаты КНДР приведены как сообщения/заявления, а не как независимо верифицированные факты.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What defense budget did Japan propose?
**A:** Japan's Ministry of Defense proposed a record budget of 8.9 trillion yen (approximately 60 billion dollars) for the next fiscal year on August 19, 2026; the final figure may rise to around 10 trillion yen after approval at the end of the year.

### Q: How did North Korea react?
**A:** Through KCNA and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, Pyongyang called the budget expansion a 'dangerous step' and 'preparation for war,' stating that the international community will 'respond resolutely with the power of unity.'

### Q: What else did the DPRK criticize about Japan?
**A:** North Korea criticized the deployment of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles in Japan and accused Tokyo of using the pretext of 'self-defense' to conceal its goal of strengthening military power.