Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking a record-high budget for fiscal 2019 that would more than double spending on missile defense, including purchases of costly American arsenals.
The 5.3 trillion yen ($47 billion) request approved by the ministry Friday is up 2.1 percent from last year. Japan’s military spending has risen seven consecutive years under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
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The overall government budget plan is to be submitted for Cabinet approval later this year.
The ministry request related to missile defense rises to 424 billion yen ($3.8 billion) from about 180 billion yen last year. Part of the funds would buy land-based Aegis Ashore interceptors and ship-to-air SM-3 Block IIA.
Japan wants to bolster its missile defenses, saying North Korea hasn’t made substantial moves to denuclearize and remains a serious threat.
