The Japanese government approved a radical overhaul of its defense policy last Friday (16), doubling its investment in its military, making it third in military spending after China and the United States. The value should reach US$320 billion in the next five years.
The country’s aim is to adapt to three situations:
- North Korea Launches Missile
- Russian invasion of Ukraine, where Japan retains disputed territories
- China’s military rise has already been described as an “unprecedented strategic challenge”
On Sunday (18), North Korea launched a pair of ballistic missiles with the potential to reach Japan in an attempt to build an even more powerful intercontinental weapon capable of reaching the United States. They traveled 500 kilometers before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
The South Korean military defined the missiles as medium-range missiles launched at an acute angle and suggested they could travel farther if fired on a standard trajectory.
In October, the country had already launched medium-range missiles at Japan, forcing Tokyo to issue warnings and order the trains to be stopped.
By investment, Japan aims to:
- Double the annual defense budget from 1% to 2% of GDP
- Combine military command
- Increase the range of your missiles
- Make the biggest armament investment since World War II
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.