Yet five years ago, the government began increasing its budget again as new provocations emerged from China and North Korea. PhotoA majority of the Japanese public generally opposes amending the pacifist Constitution; protesters mounted large demonstrations against the security bills last year. Yet some Japanese consider the gradual buildup of military firepower necessary for their protection. By extending the range of some antiballistic missile systems, the Japanese would be better equipped to shoot down missiles launched by Pyongyang. Some analysts noted that with China rapidly increasing its military budget, Japan’s current military spending might not be sufficient.

Source: New York Times August 31, 2016 03:22 UTC