Japan’s Cabinet OKs record defense budget that aims to deter China

FILE - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Photo via AP, File)(AP/Kiyoshi Ota)

FILE - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Photo via AP, File)(AP/Kiyoshi Ota)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming year, aiming to fortify its strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals as tensions rise in the region.