JAPAN / Politics

Japanese Cabinet OKs record ¥5.19 trillion defense budget to counter North Korea with interceptor batteries, first cruise missiles

Ground Self-Defense Force troops conduct a November emergency missile drill in Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture, in which a ballistic missile is presumed to have injured residents. The defense budget will swell to a record ¥5.19 trillion for fiscal 2018 as the nation shores up its defenses against provocative North Korea. | KYODO

By Daisuke Kikuchi
Staff Writer

Dec 22, 2017

The Cabinet on Friday approved a record-high draft defense budget for fiscal 2018 to beef up Japan's missile defenses against the growing threat from North Korea, breaking the record for the fourth consecutive year.

The draft budget for fiscal 2018 rose to ¥5.19 trillion from ¥5.13 trillion the previous year, and covers upgrades to the ballistic missile defense system and procure long-range cruise missiles to be launched from fighter jets.

"Our nation's security is under a greater threat. It is significantly important that we procure cutting-edge equipment," Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters Friday.

Japanese Cabinet OKs record ¥5.19 trillion defense budget to counter North Korea with interceptor batteries, first cruise missiles

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