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.

TOKYO — Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan would seek reimbursement from Britain if the government fails to agree an EU trade deal, the Nikkei financial daily reported on Monday.

The companies are bracing for an additional 10% EU tax on automobile imports from Britain and are demanding that the government pays for such additional customs costs, the report said, without citing sources.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary, one of the candidates vying for leadership of the main ruling party, says the consumption tax rate will need to be raised as the country's population is shrinking.

Suga Yoshihide made the remark in a commercial TV program on Thursday. He is one of three candidates seeking to win the leadership election of the Liberal Democratic Party on Monday. The winner is almost certain to become the next prime minister, replacing Abe Shinzo, who is stepping down for health reasons.

A Japanese court has refused a claim by a city in western Japan that the national government should review its decision to exclude the city from the so-called hometown tax donation system.

The Osaka High Court dismissed on Thursday a suit filed by Izumisano City in Osaka Prefecture against the internal affairs ministry.