Japan's Cabinet OKs record $56-B defense budget for 2024

TOKYO: Japan's defense spending will surge more than 16 percent next year under a record military budget approved on Friday by the Cabinet that will accelerate deployment of long-range cruise missiles that can hit targets in China or North Korea.

It also will further fortify the military with F-35 stealth combat jets and other American weapons as Japanese troops increasingly work with allies and take on more offensive roles.