Japan is considering setting its total defense spending for the next five years at around ?60 trillion, as it revises its three key national security-related documents by the end of this year.
The Defense Ministry estimates that necessary defense expenditures for the five-year period will total ?70 trillion to ?80 trillion, while the Finance Ministry is arguing for spending below ?60 trillion, sources said Friday.
With Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reportedly reluctant to raise taxes to fund defense spending, a battle between the Finance and Defense ministries over spending levels and how to secure the necessary funding is intensifying.
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