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LDP mulls boost in Japan’s defense spending to 2 percent of GDP

The Japanese government's fiscal 2022 budget includes 5,400.5 billion yen in defense spending, which accounts for 0.95 percent of the country's GDP. (AFP)
The Japanese government's fiscal 2022 budget includes 5,400.5 billion yen in defense spending, which accounts for 0.95 percent of the country's GDP. (AFP)
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16 Apr 2022 01:04:47 GMT9
16 Apr 2022 01:04:47 GMT9

TOKYO: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to propose that the country increase defense spending to a level equivalent to 2 percent of its gross domestic product in about five years, sources familiar with its discussions said Friday.

The LDP’s Research Commission on Security plans to put forward the proposal as NATO member countries are committed to spending 2 percent of their GDP on defense.

The Japanese government’s fiscal 2022 budget includes 5,400.5 billion yen in defense spending, which accounts for 0.95 percent of the country’s GDP.

The LDP panel will ask the government to reflect the proposal when it updates its national security strategy late this year.

The panel will also propose that Japan acquire a capability to strike enemy bases such as missile launch sites and command functions.

On the government’s plan to update its national defense program guidelines, the LDP panel will propose that the country describe China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region as a “threat.” Under the current guidelines, Japan expresses “strong concern” about it.

The panel also plans to propose that under the revised guidelines the country use the term “threat” or “strong concern” to describe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

JIJI Press

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