The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved on 22 December a defence budget of JPY5.19 trillion (USD45.7 billion) for fiscal year 2018 (FY 2018): an increase of 1.3%, or JPY66 billion, over the previous year, according to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo.
The draft budget, which is expected to be passed by the country’s bicameral legislature in the coming months, reflects the government’s intention to enhance the country’s air defences to counter the growing threat posed by North Korea, and bolster the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ (JSDF’s) ability to defend remote islands in the East China Sea amid increased activity by Chinese ships and aircraft in the area.
http://www.janes.com/article/76634/japan-approves-defence-budget-of-usd45-7-billion-for-fy-2018