The budget approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet increases military spending to a record level, reflecting Mr. Abe’s desire to bolster the defense of outlying islands that are at the heart of a territorial dispute with China.
Military spending in the year beginning April 2016 is set to rise 1.5% to ¥5.05 trillion ($41.8 billion), which is the first time the figure has topped the ¥5 trillion mark and the fourth straight increase since Mr. Abe took office in December 2012.
The latest rise follows passage of security laws in September that expanded Japan’s ability to fight overseas in cooperation with the U.S. and other allies. Mr. Abe pushed through the legislation over criticism from opposition parties that it was unconstitutional.
