Japan’s Defense Ministry Seeks Record Budget Amid China Dispute
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Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking a record budget of 5.5 trillion yen ($53 billion) for the year starting April as it seeks to bolster defense of remote islands amid a territorial dispute with China.
Japan will buy 20 P-1 aircraft to patrol seas around its coast, improving on the speed, tracking and attack capabilities of existing P-3C planes, according to documents released today. Funds will also go toward the purchase of land on the Amami islands between Okinawa and Kyushu for another military base. The request is inflated by the cost of replacing two official planes used by the emperor and prime minister.