Japan to send Patriot missiles to US after Cabinet approves record $56bn defense budget

Japan’s defense spending will increase more than 16 per cent next year under a record military budget approved Friday that is intended to accelerate the deployment of long-range cruise missiles that can hit targets in China or North Korea.

The budget adopted by the Cabinet also will further fortify the military with F-35 stealth combat jets and other American weapons as Japanese troops increasingly work with allies and take on more offensive roles.

The 7.95 trillion-yen ($56bn)