The Defense Agency hopes to increase the capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces to combat terrorism, guerrilla attacks and spy ships, and on Friday requested an allocation of 5.0043 trillion yen in the fiscal 2003 general account budget to achieve this -- an increase of 64.8 billion yen, or 1.3 percent, from the initial budget for the current fiscal year.
Agency officials said the extra funds are not only to enhance the SDF but also to continue the five-year defense buildup program that started in 2001.
The agency is seeking 19.3 billion yen for measures to counter a guerrilla attack, including the creation of a special 300-member Ground Self-Defense Force unit.