Japan's ruling party calls for 'counterstrike capabilities'

Recommendations also seek defense budget boost to over 2% of GDP

20220426N Japan F-15

An F-15 fighter jet of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force lands during a training exercise. (Handout photo from the Air Self-Defense Force) © Kyodo

RYO NEMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have urged the government to develop "counterstrike capabilities" and consider roughly doubling the defense budget to 2% or more of gross domestic product under new policy recommendations finalized Tuesday.

The document will be presented to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as early as Wednesday. The LDP aims to see the recommendations reflected in Japan's updated National Security Strategy and other security documents by the end of the year.

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