Japan Approves Record Defence Spending In 2022

 

 NYTimesPost/New York Times: Japan Approves Major Hike in Military Spending, With Taiwan in Mind 

TOKYO — Japan’s cabinet on Friday approved the country’s biggest increase in military spending in decades, as officials expressed growing concern about the possibility of being pulled into a conflict over Taiwan. 

The increase of 6.5 percent is part of the largest annual budget package in Japan’s history, totaling more than $940 billion. It includes hundreds of billions in spending meant to help the economy recover from damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

It also includes more than $51.5 billion for the military, reflecting a substantial increase in a defense budget far smaller than that of its ally the United States or of China, the regional giant. 

Officials have argued that the spending is needed to protect Japan in a security environment that is becoming “more challenging at unprecedented speed.” In recent months, Japanese politicians and policymakers have said that regional stability is facing growing threats because of tensions between the United States and China, which some fear could lead to conflict over Taiwan, accidental or otherwise.  

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Japan Approves Record Defence Spending In 2022 

Japan plans record defence spending in 2022 with 10th straight annual increase -- Reuters  

Japan Cabinet OKs record defense budget amid Taiwan concerns -- AP  

Japan to boost military spending amid East Asian threats -- The Hill  

Japan's Defense Budget 2022: Record Spending $47.2 Billion Approved -- Kyodo