The 8.7 trillion yen approved on Friday will help pay for measures to help attract recruits to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, and to improve relations between the US and Japanese militaries with locals in Okinawa.
It will also go towards a system to collect satellite information on ballistic missiles, such as those fired by North Korea, and the movement of vessels in waters around Japan, including territories disputed with China.
“Strengthening our defence capabilities is something we’re actively working on,” Ishiba said at an event organised by the Yomiuri newspaper on Thursday.
“Now matter how great our military tanks or vehicles are, it’s pointless if we don’t have enough people to move them,” said the prime minister, who has pledged to fix a shortage of new troops.
Another challenge facing the country is its ageing population caused by chronically low birth rates and a cautious approach to immigration.
Japan is one of the world’s oldest societies, and this year the proportion of its people aged 65 or over reached a record 29.3 per cent.
The draft budget needs to be approved by the parliament, and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its smaller coalition partner Komeito will need cooperation from opposition parties, having lost their majority in an October snap election.
Ishiba has stayed on as prime minister despite leading the coalition to its worst general election result in 15 years.
A vote to elect parliament’s upper house will be held in summer 2025.
Source: CNA
