Japan looks to triple army and boost defence budget

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Updated June 22, 2009 13:07:30

A draft of Japan's new mid-term defence policy guidelines is calling for an increase in military personnel and equipment upgrade in the face of growing regional tensions.

The Kyodo news agency, which obtained a copy, said the draft recommended Japan reversed its policy of reducing its defence budgets, following North Korea's nuclear missile tests, as well as China's rise as a major military power.

Kyodo says the document recommends tripling the number of Ground Self-Defence Forces, to 160,000.

Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Takashi Inoguchi, political scientist and emeritus Professor at Tokyo University

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