TOKYO: Japan’s defence ministry on Thursday (Aug 31) sought US$160 million in a record budget request to develop swift, longer-range missiles to extend its military punch in East Asia, countering growing Chinese strength and an increasing North Korean threat.

If approved, the proposal for a rise of 2.5 per cent in defence spending to 5.26 trillion yen (US$48 billion) for the year starting April 1, will be the sixth straight annual increase as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bolsters the military. Tiếp tục đọc “Japan’s military seeks funds to boost missile ranges, speed in record budget” →