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THE cabinet approved Japan’s largest-ever defence budget today, spending nearly ¥5 trillion (£30 billion) on its military.
Shinzo Abe’s government plans to buy new F-35 fighters and surveillance planes from the United States and drones and amphibious vehicles for a new branch of the military mimicking the US Marines.
It also hopes to co-operate with Washington in developing an anti-missile system that could raise tensions in the east Asian region.
Mr Abe has increased military spending every year since he came to power in December 2012, following 11 straight years of defence budget cuts.
The right-wing PM has sought to amend Japan’s pacifist constitution and engaged in brinkmanship with China over islands claimed by both countries, forcing a government purchase of three disputed islands in 2012 that sparked massive protests in China.
But the Chinese response to the growing military budget was muted today, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei merely saying: “We hope Japan will reflect on its history and follow the path of peaceful development.”
