Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration has committed to doubling the country's annual defense spending to approximately 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) by 2027, positioning Japan as the world's third-largest military spender after the United States and China.

In December, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara announced an accelerated deployment plan for Tomahawk missiles and Japanese-made Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles, starting in fiscal year 2025— a year ahead of the original schedule.

The Japanese government cites the country's "severest" security environment since World War II due to perceived threats from China and North Korea, leading to increased military collaboration with the United States, Australia, Britain, and other allied nations.

In November, the U.S. approved a $2.35 billion sale, including 200 Block IV Tomahawk missiles and 200 upgraded Block V versions. These missiles, capable of being launched from warships, have a range of 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles).

The purchase agreement was officially signed on Thursday, attended by Defense Minister Kihara and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.

Tomahawk missiles are a type of cruise missile that are primarily used by the United States Navy and Royal Navy in ship and submarine-based land-attack operations. They are long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic missiles that can be launched from a variety of platforms, including submarines, surface ships, and torpedo tubes.

The missile has a modular design that allows for compatibility with a range of warheads, including high-explosive, submunitions, and bunker-busters. The Tomahawk missile can utilize a variety of guidance systems, including GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching. The missile has a range of up to 1,350 nautical miles (1,550 miles or 2,500 kilometers). The cost of a Tomahawk missile is approximately $1.87 million. (ILKHA)