TOKYO — Japan should aim to nearly double its defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product in the next five years and ease restrictions on arms exports, a ruling party body said Thursday, citing threats from China.
The Prime Minister’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Fumio Kishida had mentioned the 2 percent mark in its manifesto last year, but the latest proposal marked the first time that party policymakers have set a specific timeline and highlighted how the emergence of an authoritarian axis between Russia and China could caused allies to reconsider their defense thinking.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-ruling-party-calls-for-defense-spending-boost-to-2-of-gdp-11650554786 The Japanese ruling party is calling for an increase in defense spending to 2% of GDP
