The Japanese government on Friday approved a record $58 billion defense budget for the 2026 fiscal year to match rising tensions with China.

Japan's Cabinet approved Friday a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming year.

Japan’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming fiscal year, accelerating a military buildup that includes cruise missiles and unmanned systems as tensions rise with China.

The Japanese government approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Friday, to pay for everything from bigger defence spending to ballooning social security costs as inflation persists.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that her country's military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing says must come under its rule.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has previously said Japan could become involved if China were to take military action against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. New

In keeping with Japan’s ongoing military buildup, lawmakers approved a budget for 2026 that for the first time exceeds 9 trillion yen, about $58 billion.