Japan Wants Defence Budget Hiked

Japan has sought a 2.6 per cent increase in its defence budget, which if granted would amount to nearly $50 billion. Japan’s defence budget has risen 17 per cent since 2012, the money going for new F-35 jets, conversion of two naval vessels into helicopter carriers, autonomous drones, lasers, satellites and so on. The new equipment is expected to help counter China’s aggressive forays into Japanese waters.