TOKYO, Aug 30 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s defence ministry, yesterday, submitted a record defence budget request of 8.8 trillion yen, for the fiscal year 2026, with a focus on deploying various missiles and drones.
The budget request, up from last year’s record 8.5 trillion yen initial request, is the fourth in a five-year defence buildup plan of around 43 trillion yen, as Japan zeroes in on its target of spending two percent of gross domestic product on defence by 2027.
According to the defence ministry document, about one trillion yen will be used to obtain “standoff” missiles, targeting adversaries from outside their strike range.
Under the proposal, some 312.8 billion yen will be allocated to purchase aerial drones.
The Japanese government set a goal in 2022, of gradually hiking defence-related spending to two percent of GDP by fiscal 2027, which has raised concerns domestically and internationally. (100 yen equal 0.68 USD)– NNN-NHK
