(VOVWORLD) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government approved a ninth consecutive rise in military spending on Monday, funding the development of an advanced stealth fighter and longer-range anti-ship missile.
The Ministry of Defense will get a record 52 billion USD for the year starting in April, up 1.1% from this year.
With Suga’s large majority in parliament, enactment of the budget is all but certain.
Suga is continuing the military expansion pursued by his predecessor, Abe Shinzo, to give Japan’s forces new planes, missiles and aircraft carriers with greater range and potency against potential foes.