TOKYO -- Japan's new defense minister on Thursday said the country needs to spend more on defense but denied that it would aim for a target of 2% of gross domestic product amid U.S. pressure on allies to buy more American weapons.
Iwaya says substantial increase needed, but opposes following NATO guideline

Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel march alongside a Patriot missile unit at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo. Anti-missile capabilities have factored into the country's rising defense spending.
TOKYO -- Japan's new defense minister on Thursday said the country needs to spend more on defense but denied that it would aim for a target of 2% of gross domestic product amid U.S. pressure on allies to buy more American weapons.