Japan's Military Requests A $50.3 Billion Defense Budget

Reuters: Japan's military seek eighth straight annual hike in defense spending

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s military has asked for an eighth straight annual increase in defense spending to help pay for U.S.-made interceptor missiles, stealth fighters, and other equipment it wants to counter threats from North Korea and China.

The Ministry of Defence budget proposal released Friday calls for spending to increase 1.2 percent to a record 5.32 trillion yen ($50.48 billion) in the year starting April 1. Finance ministry officials will scrutinize the request before it is approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet.

Already one of the world’s biggest military spenders despite a constitution that forbids the possession of weapons to attack other countries, Japan has increased military outlays by a tenth over the past seven years. That growth is being driven by alarm over military build ups by its neighbors.

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More News On Japan's Military Requesting A $50.3 Billion Defense Budget

Japan's Defense Ministry requests record ¥5.32 trillion budget -- Japan Times
Japan defense costs swell on greater role, purchases from US -- AP
Japan defence ministry seeks record budget -- AFP
Japan sets sights on record $50.3 billion defense budget -- UPI
Here’s what Japan’s Defense Ministry wants to do with $50.5 billion -- Defense News

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