Japan Cancels US Meeting Following Washington's Call for Increased Defense Spending - FT

Japan Cancels US Meeting Following Washington's Call for Increased Defense Spending - FT

Japan has canceled a meeting with the United States following a request from Washington for increased defense spending. The decision comes amid growing tensions over NATO's proposed defense spending increase, which aims to have member nations contribute 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense. Japan's move is a significant setback for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The proposed defense spending increase, spearheaded by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, would require member nations to divide their contributions into classic defense spending (3.5%) and defense-related spending (1.5%). This move comes in response to the growing security threats posed by Russia's actions in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape [1].

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has backed the proposal, stating that the security situation in Europe necessitates a more serious approach to defense spending. Norway has already committed over 3% of its GDP to defense, including contributions to Ukraine's defense [1]. However, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has rejected the proposal, citing economic reasons and EU security efforts [2].

Japan's cancellation of the meeting underscores the challenges faced by NATO members in meeting the increased spending demands. The proposed 5% target is a significant increase from the current 2% threshold, and many nations are struggling to meet even the existing requirement. The US, which has long insisted that member nations pay their fair share, has cast doubt over whether it would defend allies that spend too little [2].

The upcoming NATO summit is crucial for the alliance's future, as it will determine whether member nations can agree on a new defense spending plan. The success of the summit is now in doubt, with Spain's rejection and Japan's cancellation adding to the uncertainty. The US and other NATO allies are desperate to resolve the issue before the summit, as they do not want to see the meeting derailed [2].

The proposed defense spending increase is part of a broader effort to strengthen NATO's defenses against external threats. The alliance has agreed that 2% of GDP should be the minimum spending on military budgets, but the new plans require investment of at least 3%. The 5% goal is made up of two parts: classic defense spending and defense-related spending, including infrastructure upgrades and societal preparedness [2].

The proposed spending increase is not without its critics. Some nations argue that the 1.5% figure for defense-related spending is unclear and that it may include non-defense spending. Additionally, the timeline for meeting the spending target is a contentious issue, with some nations pushing for a longer period to reach the 5% target [2].

The cancellation of the Japan-US meeting and the ongoing negotiations ahead of the NATO summit highlight the complex and challenging nature of the proposed defense spending increase. The success of the summit will depend on whether NATO members can find common ground and agree on a new defense spending plan that balances the need for increased security with the economic realities of its member nations.

References:
[1] https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jun/20/norway-says-meet-new-nato-spending-demand-summit-looms/
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/the-success-of-a-key-nato-summit-is-in-doubt-after-spain-rejects-a-big-hike-in-defense-spending/articleshow/121974975.cms