The Japanese government continues to raise the expected cost of defense, which is largely to prevent the threat from the North.
Japan's defense budget for the 2018 fiscal year hit a record high of 5.19 trillion yen, or $ 46 billion, to bolster its defense against the threats posed by North Korea, the Nikkei 16/12 reported on Tokyo plans.
New fiscal year starts from April 2018. Accordingly, much of the increase will be used to help Japan block North Korean nuclear and missile development programs. The budget will also cover the preparation of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system.
This is the sixth consecutive year Japan's defense budget has increased, the previous fiscal year was 5.12 trillion yen, or $ 45.4 billion.
Japan's defense minister, Itsunori Onodera, said last week that the country plans to purchase cruise missiles for US companies with a range of up to 900 kilometers. The plan has become controversial because the Japanese parliament has banned the use of force to deal with international disputes.
Japan in 2017 is faced with threats from North Korea, culminating when two missiles flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan on August 29 and September 15.
Speaking ahead of the United Nations meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono described the North as the most urgent, most serious threat facing the international community.
Japan, along with the United States and South Korea, has imposed unilateral sanctions against North Korea, along with sanctions from the United Nations, to pressure North Korea to abandon missile and nuclear programs. However, there is no sign that North Korea wants to stop its nuclear and missile development program.
Khanh Lynh
