Japan's military seeks big boost in defense budget

Japan needs to boost its military spending to counter the potential threat from China's increasingly powerful armed forces and North Korea's long-range missiles, its defense minister said Tuesday.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Japan cannot afford to be complacent over what he said are significant security issues in the region.

His ministry announced last week it is seeking a 3 percent increase in defense spending for the coming year, the biggest increase it has requested in 22 years.

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