TOKYO -- Japan's defense-related budget for fiscal 2024 has expanded to 1.6% of gross domestic product, steadily approaching the 2% threshold in line with Western economies.
Spending will total 8.9 trillion yen ($56.7 billion) in the 12 months through March 2025, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters Friday. The percentage of GDP will rise 0.2 point on the year.
