TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming year, aiming to fortify its strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals as tensions rise in the region.

On 9 December 2025, at Tsuiki Air Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), at least 16 F-2 fighter aircraft were observed conducting training flights while each carried four ASM-2 air-to-ship missiles (Type 93 Air-to-Ship Guided Missile) mounted under their main wings.

China has reportedly loaded over 100 new intercontinental ballistic missiles into border silos, accelerating nuclear expansion faster than any other power.

Japan ’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming fiscal year, accelerating a military buildup that includes cruise missiles and unmanned systems as tensions rise with China.

U.S. B-52 strategic bombers and Japanese fighter jets participated in a joint military exercise on Wednesday in a major show of force.

China announced countermeasures against the former chief of staff of Japan's Self-Defense Forces on Monday as tensions between the neighbouring countries simmer after remarks about Taiwan by Japan's prime minister angered Beijing.

In keeping with Japan’s ongoing military buildup, lawmakers approved a budget for 2026 that for the first time exceeds 9 trillion yen, about $58 billion.

Under the new budget, more than 970 billion yen ($6.2bn) is earmarked to enhance Japan’s “standoff” missile capabilities. This includes 177 billion yen ($1.13bn) for the purchase of domestically produced and upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles, which have an estimated range of about 1,000km (620 miles).

The draft budget is up 9.4 per cent from 2025 and marks the fourth year of Japan's ongoing five-year programme to double its annual arms spending.