Japan requests record defense budget for fiscal 2025 despite concerns

TOKYO, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Ministry of Defense has submitted a record-breaking defense budget request of 8.54 trillion yen (about 59 billion U.S. dollars) for the fiscal year of 2025.

The request on Friday marked the first time the country's defense budget request has surpassed the 8-trillion-yen mark, reflecting the government's intensified focus on enhancing its military capabilities.

Local medi