Tag - budgets

 
 

BUDGETS

During the last round of negotiations between Washington and Seoul, then-U.S. President Donald Trump requested steep increases in South Korea’s share of defense costs.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 14, 2024
South Korea, U.S. talk cost-sharing as Seoul girds for Trump 2.0
The agreement on an unusually early start of the defense cost-sharing deals reflects unease over a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House.
The defense request is largely seen as a symbolic opening shot in what is expected to be a protracted spending battle in Congress ahead of a November presidential election that will almost certainly pit President Joe Biden against his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 12, 2024
With eye on Indo-Pacific, Biden seeks record U.S. defense budget
But the $895.2 billion figure for fiscal 2025 is only about a 1% increase from the $886.3 billion proposal made last year — far below inflation levels.
An Upper House budget committee session for questions and answers on the fiscal 2024 draft budget held Wednesday
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 6, 2024
Japan's huge draft budget raises questions over fiscal accountability
The government allocates reserves and determines their use at Cabinet meetings, requiring only retroactive approval by parliament.
A military delegation arrives for a meeting Monday, ahead the annual session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 5, 2024
China defense spending to climb 7.2% amid rivalry with U.S.
Beijing's 1.67 trillion yuan ($231.4 billion) budget makes 2024 the ninth straight year to see a single-digit hike in the country’s defense outlays.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a Lower House plenary session on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 3, 2024
In bid to save face, Kishida sticks to his guns on budget passage schedule
The PM wants to prevent his administration's popularity from falling further but his handling of a funds scandal is widely perceived as inadequate.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other lawmakers bow after the Lower House passed the fiscal 2024 draft budget on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 2, 2024
After lengthy delay, Japan's Lower House passes fiscal 2024 budget
The Lower House cleared the bill after deliberations in which the opposition grilled the prime minister over the party's ongoing political funds scandal.
Former economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who served as the Abe faction’s secretary-general for 10 months until August 2022, said the practice of returning portions of the income collected through fundraising parties to individual lawmakers was solely handled by the faction chairman and an administrative secretary.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 1, 2024
As ethics hearing unfolds, Diet falls into chaos over budget approval
The CDP sought to censure budget committee leader Itsunori Onodera over his decision to push through a final vote, and argued for more extensive debate.
Sadayuki Sakakibara, head of a Defense Ministry expert panel, speaks during its meeting at the ministry on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Japan's $290 billion defense spending plan insufficient: experts
The spending plan is already much larger than in past years to address security threats.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s first Kumamoto plant in the town of Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Feb. 10
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 16, 2024
Japan boosts aid to chip projects amid global race
Prompted by concerns, the government acted swiftly to prevent the potential loss of domestic production bases.
The government plans to establish a system that allows any child to enroll in day care establishments regardless of whether their parents work or not.
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2024
Japan's Cabinet OKs bill on measures to tackle falling birthrate
The bill includes plans to expand child benefits and establish a system allowing any child to enroll in day care establishments.
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki gives a policy speech on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 30, 2024
Japan's finance chief calls for early budget passage following quake
Japan is "at a historic turning point" in achieving sustainable growth, Shunichi Suzuki told parliament.
Projections for Japan's primary balance are presented at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday.
BUSINESS
Jan 22, 2024
Japan’s baseline forecasts show government missing budget goal
The primary balance is projected to be around minus 0.4% in fiscal year 2025.
Police officers search for victims in a snow covered residential area which was devastated by a tsunami following an earthquake, in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Jan. 9.
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2024
Japan raises emergency budget reserves for quake relief
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered a rare revision of an already finalized budget plan to ensure sufficient funds are allocated for relief efforts.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade takes part in a marine landing drill on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 29, 2023
Kishida’s military build-up plans face bumpy road ahead
One year on, questions remain as to whether the embattled leader, whose support rate recently dipped to new lows, can follow through on his pledges.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a policy speech to the Lower House of parliament in Tokyo in January.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2023
Pivot to pre-COVID normalcy tests Japan's fiscal spending appetite
A projected expansion of nominal GDP beyond ¥600 trillion for the first time may bring about the BOJ's gradual shift in policy.
Self-Defense Forces soldiers take part in an evacuation drill on Yonaguni island in Okinawa Prefecture in November.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 22, 2023
Japan approves record ¥8 trillion defense budget
The defense budget announced Friday includes ¥370 billion to build two new warships that will utilize the U.S.-developed Aegis missile defense system.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a policy meeting on Friday.
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2023
Japan cuts spending for first time in 12 years in fiscal 2024 budget
The budget for the coming fiscal year that starts in April is estimated at ¥112.07 trillion, down 2% from the current year's initial amount.
Medical fees will be lowered by 0.12% in fiscal 2024, marking the fifth consecutive reduction in the fees that are reviewed every two years.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2023
Japan fees for medical services and drugs to be lowered by 0.12%
The government will raise its official fees for nursing and disability welfare services by 1.59% and 1.12%, respectively, in fiscal 2024.
A Tomahawk cruise missile is launched from a U.S. Navy ship. Japan agreed with the United States to buy U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles one year earlier than previously planned.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2023
Japanese government delaying debate over key defense issues
A widening political scandal is affecting the Kishida administration's ability to move forward on important security discussions.
Soldiers from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises on Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Japan eyes record ¥7.7 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2024
Work to compile the budget is continuing without a decision on the timing of tax hikes to fund a substantial increased in defense spending.

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A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world