The Japanese government has approved a record $58 billion defense budget for the fiscal year 2026, a move made in the context of increasing regional tensions with China. According to foreign media, the approved budget for defense expenses stands at $9.04 trillion yen, a 9.4% increase from the previous fiscal year. This marks the fourth year of Japan’s five-year $275 billion defense program aimed at increasing defense spending to 2% of the country’s GDP.
The Japanese cabinet’s decision to approve the defense budget comes at a time when relations between China and Japan are strained. The tensions between the two nations have been exacerbated by recent comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi on the issue of Taiwan, leading to a series of diplomatic confrontations. China has responded with economic and diplomatic measures, including restrictions on travel and Japanese seafood imports.
Meanwhile, Japan continues to promote security cooperation with the United States, which is seen as a key strategic partner in the face of China’s growing influence. The Japanese government has also identified China as the biggest strategic challenge in its new national security strategy.
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A United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon has reported that one of its soldiers was injured in an Israeli shooting incident. The Indian government has announced that it will deport Afghan nationals involved in serious crimes.
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Ukrainian President Zelensky has announced that he will meet with US President Biden on Sunday to discuss the end of the war. The Indian government has announced that it will deport Afghan nationals involved in serious crimes.
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