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Japan Defense Budget
FILE - The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force tanks parade during the Self-Defense Forces Day at Asaka Base in Asaka, north of Tokyo, on Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Japan's defense ministry seeks record budget as it faces growing threat from China

Japan’s Defense Ministry has sought a record 8.5 trillion yen or $59 billion budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China’s increasing threat

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Published - Aug 30, 2024, 09:14 AM ET
Last Updated - Aug 30, 2024, 09:14 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Defense Ministry on Friday sought a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China’s increasing threat.

Defense officials were also focusing on unmanned weapons and artificial intelligence to make up for the declining number of servicemembers as a result of the country's shrinking population.

The ministry's request for 2025 marks the third year of Japan’s rapid five-year military buildup plan under the government’s ongoing security strategy. Japan aims to spend 43 trillion yen ($297 billion) through 2027 to double its annual military spending to around 10 trillion yen, making it the world’s No. 3 military spender after the United States and China.

The budget request was approved at the Defense Ministry meeting Friday before a submission to the Finance Ministry for negotiations through December.

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