Takaichi\u2019s government, under U.S. pressure for a military increase, pledged to achieve the 2% target by March, two years earlier than planned. Japan also plans to revise the ongoing security and defense policy<\/a> by December 2026 to further strengthen its military.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stay up to date with the news and the best of AP by following our WhatsApp channel.<\/p>\n Missiles and drones will add to southwestern island defense<\/p>\n Japan has been bolstering its offensive capability with long-range missiles to attack enemy targets from a distance, a major break from its post-World War II principle limiting the use of force to own self-defense.<\/p>\n The current security strategy, adopted in 2022, names China as the country\u2019s biggest strategic challenge and calls for a more offensive role for Japan\u2019s Self-Defense Force under its security alliance with the U.S.<\/p>\n The new budget plan allocates more than 970 billion yen ($6.2 billion) to bolster Japan\u2019s \u201cstandoff\u201d missile capability. It includes a 177 billion-yen ($1.13 billion) purchase of domestically developed and upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).<\/p>\n The first batch of the Type-12 missiles will be deployed in Japan\u2019s southwestern Kumamoto prefecture by March, a year earlier than planned, as Japan accelerates its missile buildup in the region.<\/p>\n In part due to Japan\u2019s aging and declining population and its struggles with an understaffed military, the government believes unmanned weapons are essential.<\/p>\n To defend the coasts, Japan will spend 100 billion yen ($640 million) to deploy \u201cmassive\u201d unmanned air, sea-surface and underwater drones for surveillace and defense under a system called \u201cSHIELD\u201d planned for March 2028, defense ministry officials said.<\/p>\n For speedier deployment, Japan initially plans to rely mainly on imports, possibly from Turkey or Israel. <\/p>\n Tension with China grows<\/p>\n The budget announcement comes as Japan\u2019s row with China escalate following Takaichi\u2019s remark in November that Japanese military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own.<\/p>\n The disagreement escalated this month when Chinese aircraft carrier drills near southwestern Japan prompted Tokyo to protest when Chinese aircraft locked their radar on Japanese aircraft<\/a>, which is considered possible preparation for firing missiles.<\/p>\n The Defense Ministry, already been alarmed by China\u2019s rapid expansion of operations in the Pacific, will open a new office dedicated to studying operations, equipment and other necessities for Japan to deal with China\u2019s Pacific activity.<\/p>\n
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