Japan to reach record defense budget of US$42 bn for FY2016 21008152

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Defence & Security News - Japan
 
 
Japan to reach record defense budget of US$42 bn for FY2016
Japan is expected to seek a record defense budget of 5.2 trillion Yen, or about 42 billion US Dollars, for the fiscal year of 2016, revelead on August 9 local medias. This comes after three years of increased defense spending by the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
     
Japan to reach record defense budget of US 42 bn for FY2016 640 001JSDF and US troops during joint military drill
     
Japan's Kyodo news agency says the budget request will likely include 140 billion yen on US military realignment costs. The request is also expected to cover costs for the bulk purchase of 17 SH-60 helicopters, and manoeuvre combat vehicles. Abe's government adopted a new five-year Defense Program at the end of 2013.

Under the plan, Japan's defense spending is expected to rise by an average of 0.8 percent annually. The latest budget hike would come as Abe looks to overhaul the country's defense policy with new security bills.

Based on the program through fiscal 2018, Japan’s defense spending is expected to grow by an average of 0.8 percent annually.

China’s rise and the military threat posed by it has been the main trigger for the boosted defense spending, officials say.

The two Asian giants have been butting heads over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, which Beijing also claims and calls the Diaoyus, with Chinese ships and aircraft regularly testing the Japanese response.

In a Defense Ministry white paper issued last month, the ministry said it remains deeply concerned about China’s maritime ambitions in the region.

The report said Tokyo is paying particular attention to Beijing’s growing military assertiveness in the East and South China Sea, accusing it of “high-handed” actions to change the status quo by force.