Following a historic electoral victory for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan, where it secured over two-thirds of the seats, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is accelerating plans to strengthen national defense. This significant win, described by defense officials as 'extreme', has implications for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF), with rising concerns regarding the sustainability of increasing defense budgets and military capabilities amid warnings that the organization and its environment may not adequately adapt to these rapid changes.

The Takaichi administration has moved ahead with plans to boost defense spending to 2% of GDP, raising this year's budget to approximately 11 trillion yen. Drawing pressure from U.S. partners to enhance military spending, Japan is contemplating further budget increases in the coming years, with a commitment to build a defense framework suitable for 'a new era'. However, there are apprehensions among defense officials regarding the practical implications of these policies, particularly as the forces already struggle with fatigue and resource challenges.

There are fears that defense policies may overlook the realities facing personnel on the ground, fueling criticism and anxieties about the capabilities and implementations of new initiatives, such as the planned purchase of thousands of attack drones and the 100 billion yen allocated for a coastal defense 'shield project'. Concerns are rising that if these strategies are executed without addressing the grassroots issues within the SDF, it could further burden an already strained military environment.