Japan's LDP makes unprecedented defense spending pledge
An unprecedented election pledge by Japan’s ruling party to double defense spending underscores the nation’s haste to acquire missiles, stealth fighters, drones and other weapons to deter China’s military in the disputed East China Sea. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) included the goal of spending 2 percent of GDP — about US$100 billion — or more on the Japanese military for the first time in its policy platform ahead of a national election this month. Experts do not expect newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to double spending any time soon, given the country’s ...