Japanese Govt. Considers 50% Increase In 5-year Defense Budget

Japanese govt. considers 50% increase in 5-year defense budget

Japanese government officials have agreed on a plan to set total defense spending for the next five fiscal years at 40 to 43 trillion yen, or around 300 billion dollars.

They discussed the appropriate amount after Prime Minister Kishida Fumio instructed ministers to raise the annual defense and other related budgets to 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product in fiscal 2027.

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Orders Defense Budget Rise To 2% Of Gdp

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida orders defense budget rise to 2% of GDP

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is ordering a significant increase in defense spending in five years. It comes as the ruling coalition has been raising concerns about security around Japan.

Kishida met with the defense and finance ministers on Monday. He told them he wants defense spending to rise to 2 percent of Japan's GDP in fiscal 2027.

Japan's Pm: Defense-related Budget Will Be Raised To 2% Of Gdp In Fy2027

Japan's PM: Defense-related budget will be raised to 2% of GDP in FY2027

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has instructed ministers to raise the annual defense and other related budgets to 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product in fiscal 2027.

Kishida met with Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu and Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi on Monday evening. He told them he will decide how to ensure an increase in defense spending after reviewing both revenue and expenditures by yearend. He urged the two to discuss the matter with the ruling coalition parties.

Panel Suggests Tax Increase To Cover More Defense Spending

Panel suggests tax increase to cover more defense spending

A Japanese government panel of experts on the country's defense capabilities has called for the early deployment of missiles with counterattack capabilities. It also suggested tax hikes would be the preferred way to finance the increase in defense capabilities.

The panel came up with a report on ways to drastically enhance the country's defense capabilities, on Tuesday. The panel's chair, Sasae Kenichiro, who is a former ambassador to the US, submitted the report to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Japan's Defense Budget Likely To Be Record High

Japan's defense budget likely to be record high

NHK has learned that Japan's defense budget for fiscal 2021 is likely to be around 51 billion dollars -- a record high. The budget would be higher for nine years in a row.

The Defense Ministry has been negotiating its budget request with the Finance Ministry before the government compiles the budget plan late this month.

Self-defense Force Mission In Middle East Extended

Self-Defense Force mission in Middle East extended

The Japanese government has extended the Self-Defense Force's mission in the Middle East by one year, citing continued tension in the region.

The SDF's destroyer and patrol aircraft have been deployed in the region for an intelligence-gathering mission to ensure safe navigation for vessels related to Japan.

Defense Ministry To Send Sdf Nurses To Osaka

Defense Ministry to send SDF nurses to Osaka

NHK has learned that Japan's Defense Ministry plans to dispatch Self-Defense Force medical personnel to Osaka Prefecture, where the healthcare system is under strain from a surge in coronavirus cases.

The ministry will likely send a total of about seven personnel consisting of nurses and other staff.

Osaka Asks Defense Minister To Send Sdf Nurses

Osaka asks defense minister to send SDF nurses

Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi says he has asked Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo to send nurses from the Self-Defense Forces to treat serious coronavirus cases at a newly established medical facility.

Yoshimura visited the new center for treating COVID-19 patients in serious condition on Monday.

Japan, Australia Reach Defense Agreement

Japan, Australia reach defense agreement

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says his country and Australia have reached broad agreement on a pact related to joint exercises by the Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military.

At a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, Suga expressed hopes of strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of fields including national security and defense.

Japan Leans Toward Ship-based Missile Defense

Japan leans toward ship-based missile defense

NHK has learned that Japan's Defense Ministry will mainly look into using ships in its study of offshore alternatives to the Aegis Ashore missile defense system.

The land-based Aegis Ashore is designed to use radar and interceptor missiles to stop ballistic missiles. Japan planned to deploy it in response to a surge in North Korean ballistic missile tests.

28 Self-defense Force Members Test Positive

28 Self-Defense Force members test positive

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force says 28 of its personnel have contracted the coronavirus, probably at a barbecue party.

Officials of the GSDF say that the 28 members from 24 camps across Japan had been confirmed infected by Monday.