New Japan PM to move up defense spending goal by 2 years in policy speech

New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to move up Japan's target for increasing defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product from fiscal 2027 to fiscal 2025, beginning the necessary steps within the current fiscal year by tapping a supplementary budget, government sources said Wednesday.The first policy speech in parliament by the hawkish Takaichi on Friday is expected to highlight her intention to fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities amid a changing security landscape, paving the way for more defense spending.Takaichi also plans to say her government will revise three …READ FULL ARTICLE