TOKYO, Japan: Japan's government is increasingly presenting its rapid military expansion as not just a way to strengthen national security, but also as a means to boost economic growth.

In its latest defense white paper, officials argued that increased arms production and defense investment could contribute to the country's broader prosperity.

The annual report, which reviews threats from China, Russia and North Korea, emphasized the need for Japan to modernize its defense sector. For decades, the country's military activities have been limited by post-World War II restrictions. Now, the government is encouraging the use of advanced technology, greater support for startups and wider use of commercial components in weapons development.

According to a Defense Ministry presentation, the report highlighted how defense spending could have positive effects beyond the military sector, benefiting the economy and everyday life. This approach reflects Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's wider policy of using targeted government spending to stimulate economic growth.

The message was also reflected in the white paper's design. Instead of the traditional imagery of soldiers and weapons, the cover features an anime-style illustration of a smiling family set against a modern, futuristic city. A ministry official explained that the design was chosen to project a forward-looking and optimistic vision.

This framing of defense as a driver of future prosperity comes as the government prepares a new national security strategy. Analysts expect the plan to include further increases in military spending, primarily aimed at deterring China from initiating a conflict over Taiwan that could involve Japan.

The white paper warned: "China's military activities and other actions are a matter of serious concern to Japan and the international community, and represent Japan's greatest strategic challenge."

Tensions with Beijing have already been visible. China reacted strongly after Takaichi suggested that Japan's Self-Defense Forces could be deployed if a Chinese attack on Taiwan posed a direct threat to Japan's survival. It called for her remarks to be withdrawn.

To fund its largest military buildup since World War II, Japan has put together a mix of tax increases, spending adjustments and one-off revenue measures. Defense spending has now reached around two percent of the country's gross domestic product. However, the government has not yet clearly explained how it would finance any further expansion without placing additional strain on already stretched public finances.

The administration has already secured a record budget of 122.3 trillion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2027. It later introduced an additional 3.1 trillion-yen package to help households and businesses cope with rising energy costs, highlighting the pressure on government resources.

So far, a large portion of the increased defense budget has been directed toward long-range missiles capable of hitting targets more than 1,000 kilometers away. Looking ahead, experts expect more funding to be allocated to drones and other unmanned systems, similar to those widely used in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.