Japan's defense spending on brink of breaking 1% GDP cap

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Purchases of fighter jets, including the F-35A, are expected to comprise a large portion of the Japanese Defense Ministry's budget request. (Photo courtesy of Japan Air Self-Defense Force)

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writer

August 18, 2021 23:59 JST

Updated on August 19, 2021 01:19 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's Defense Ministry will seek a fiscal 2022 budget of more than 5.4 trillion yen ($49.3 billion), a record amount that could surpass the long-standing cap of 1% of gross domestic product.