Japan says it will reach 2% defense spending early -- but there's a catch

Takaichi government relies on counting supplementary budget

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Japan's extra defense budget for this year includes 56.6 billion yen for missiles. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)

RYOTA OGATA

TOKYO -- The supplementary budget approved by Japan's cabinet on Friday will boost defense spending by over 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) to 2% of gross domestic product two years ahead of schedule, Tokyo says, but only after a change in how these outlays are counted.

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