Japan unveils record defence budget amid regional security fears
Al JazeeraThe cabinet’s nod for a 20-percent rise in military spending is a deviation from pacifist post-WWII self-defence policy. Japan will boost its defence budget for 2023 to a record 6.8 trillion yen, or a 20-percent increase, in the face of regional security concerns and threats posed by China and North Korea. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet approved the budget on Friday of a total 114.4 trillion yen, from next April, which was pushed up mainly by the hefty increase in military spending and higher social security costs for a fast-ageing population This is part of a controversial new National Security Strategy that aims to double Japan’s defence spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2027. Japan’s budget, which is still pending parliamentary approval, includes the purchase of US-made Tomahawks at 211.3 billion yen and other long-range cruise missiles that can hit targets in China or North Korea. Japan will spend 94 billion yen next year to work on upgrading and mass production of Type-12 land-to-ship guided missiles developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for deployment within the next few years.