Japan will spend about $ 49 billion on defense in the fiscal year to March 2015 . Compared with the $ 200 billion China will likely spend on defense . It ascribed a figure of $ 640 billion to the U.S. in 2013 , followed by China on $ 188 billion . Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , Japan is becoming more assertive about its defense posture . Japan 's Defense Ministry says defense paper is an excuse for Japan 's military expansion .
Japan will spend about $ 49 billion on defense in the fiscal year to March 2015 . Compared with the $ 200 billion China will likely spend on defense . Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , Japan is becoming more assertive about its defense posture . Japan 's Defense Ministry says defense paper is an excuse for Japan 's military expansion .