This article is very outdated and fails to mention the recent increases in Japanese military spending. according to Reuters "Japan’s defense outlays for the year starting April 1 will rise for a sixth straight year, increasing by 1.3 percent to 5.19 trillion yen ($45.76 billion), according to a budget breakdown published by the government." [1] The change is significant because it reflects the changing role of the JSDF under Abe's premiership. The information is backed by another independent source [2]