Japan needs to increase its military spending in the face of the "grim reality" of the threat from China and North Korea, a senior member of the nation's ruling Liberal Democratic Party said on Sunday during a visit to Taiwan.
It is the first visit to Taiwan by a top member of Japan’s ruling party in 19 years, a trip that comes as Tokyo prepares a hefty boost in military spending to counter threats from countries like China.
Although Chinese-claimed and democratically governed Taiwan and Japan do not have formal diplomatic ties, they have close unofficial relations and both share concerns about China, especially amid an increase in its military moves.