It comes as the U.S. Japan's chief military ally has vowed to raise its presence in Asia, but the U.S. also is facing across-the-board budget cuts and seeking to reduce its global military footprint as it winds down a decade of wars.
In order to raise the tax to 10% by 2015, Mr Noda struck a deal with the LDP and its ally, New Komeito, which enabled the bill to pass the lower house in June.