TOKYO, Japan — The Japanese Cabinet on Friday, December 26, approved a record-setting 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for its defense budget as the country faces elevated tension from China. Japan aims to fortify its region with strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals. The draft budget for fiscal 2026, beginning April, is up 9.4% from 2025 and marks the fourth year of Japan’s ongoing five-year program to double annual arms spending to 2% of gross domestic product. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that her country’s military could get involved if China were to take […]... Keep on reading: Japan OKs record 9-trillion yen defense budget to deter China