North Korea Says Record-High Japan Defence Budget Would Risk ‘Turmoil’
North Korea said the ¥8.9 trillion request signals a dangerous expansion of Japan’s war budget and could destabilize the region.
- On Saturday, North Korea accused Japan of preparing for a "war of aggression" following reports of a record-high defense budget request, with Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency claiming the move will bring "new turmoil to the region."
- The Japanese defence ministry is seeking a record-high budget of ¥8.9 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year, following Japan's recent moves to lift its self-imposed ban on weapons exports and expand defence spending.
- Defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi reaffirmed the government's "determination to continue fulfilling our responsibility to uphold Japan's postwar path as a peaceful nation" last week, despite Japan's gradual shift from its post-World War II pacifist stance.
- China has recently expressed alarm at what it sees as "new militarism" by Japan, while Tokyo this week underlined the "critical" importance of security cooperation with the United States and South Korea.
- President Donald Trump also seeks engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong this year, scaling back annual military drills with Seoul despite concerns from allies about United States security commitments in East Asia.
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The Japanese Ministry of Defence is currently asking for a "record" budget for the next fiscal year, reported this week the local channel NHK and other media, which estimate this amount at 8,900 billion yen (48 billion euros). This budget demand "will again beat all historical records", commented the official Pyongyang news agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
North Korea vehemently criticized Japan's plans for increasing the national defence budget, accusing Tokyo on Saturday of preparing for a "war of aggression," writes AFP. The Japanese Ministry of Defence requested an amount of "record" for the next fiscal year, reported this week the local NHK television station and other publications, which estimate ...
North Korea strongly criticized Japan's unprecedented defense budget.
Channel News Asia
Insider PaperNorth Korea says record-high Japan defence budget would risk 'turmoil'
While not yet finalised, the move "clearly signifies a dangerous expansion of the war budget that will bring new turmoil to the region and the world", KCNA said.
While Japan plans to increase its military spending, North Korea accused it this Saturday of preparing for a "war of aggression." Tokyo, which still claims its status as a peaceful nation, is, however, gradually strengthening its defence capabilities. Is Japan turning the page of decades of pacifism? The Japanese Ministry of Defence is demanding a record budget of 8,900 billion yen (about 48 billion euros), an increase that is causing North Kore…
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