Japan sets sights on record $50.3 billion defense budget www.upi.com

The purchase is contributing to a record high defense budget for 2020.
Photo courtesy of British Royal NavyAug. 30 (UPI) -- Japan's defense ministry is requesting a budget of $50.3 billion for the next fiscal year, starting April 2020, according to Kyodo news agency and local press reports.
The Korea Times reported Friday Japan's defense spending dwarfs Seoul's military budget for 2020, which is estimated to reach about $41.5 billion.
In its statement on Friday, Japan's defense ministry said the goal is to build an "integrated defense force" in line with the midterm defense force maintenance plan of 2019-23, finalized in December 2018.
Japan has cited increasing threats from North Korea and China as reasons for increasing the military budget.