Japan to broaden scope of defense budget as Taiwan tensions mount

Cross-ministry framework to include airport and cyber spending

20220913N kishida reviews troops JIJI

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reviews Self-Defense Forces personnel at Camp Asaka in November 2021. © Jiji

RIEKO MIKI and SHUNSUKE SHIGETA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan is considering overhauling how it categorizes defense spending, creating a broader budget framework that includes funding for scientific research as well as space and cyber programs to respond to evolving security challenges, including a possible conflict in Taiwan.

Under the plan, the annual budget allocated to the Ministry of Defense would be grouped together with security-related programs handled by other agencies and ministries. The government aims to adopt the change from fiscal 2023.

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