Tokyo: Japan’s defence ministry has proposed a more than $40 billion budget to counter the growing threats from China and North Korea. This includes provision for hypersonic missiles, standoff missiles, aircraft carriers, drones, and advanced fighter jets. The budget proposed by the Japanese Ministry of Defence is the highest to date. Apart from this, sources have indicated that additional funds will be provided for defence over the budgeted expenditure.
Over the last year, China and North Korea have been taking aggressive military postures. Japan has also adopted an aggressive policy to counter these moves. Late last year, Japan announced that it would increase its defence spending to over $50 billion. In April this year, the ruling LDP party presented a proposal to acquire the capability to attack enemy bases. Whereas, in July, Japan released its Defence White Paper.
The white paper indicates Japan’s preparedness to counter the threat posed by China and North Korea. 
The Department of Defence endorses the claims through its proposal, which talks about seven key pillars to strengthen the country’s defence capability over the next five years.
It includes the production of long-range missiles, air defence and anti-missile systems, increased use of drones, and increasing capabilities in cyber and electromagnetic fields, including space. 
It also mentions command, control, and intelligence functions to gain the ability to engage with the enemy by deploying troops and logistics to the war front and implementing policies to enhance the resilience and capability of defence forces.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Air Force is in the process of buying 12 new F-35 fighter jets from the United States. $10 billion were demanded to buy the next generation fighter jets. $300 million have been sanctioned to convert two helicopter carriers of the Japanese Navy into aircraft carriers.
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