Japan reorients defense spending for modern warfare

Japan is preparing to steer more of its record defense spending toward drones, missiles and ammunition stockpiles as it seeks to strengthen and modernize its firepower, the nation’s Defense Ministry said yesterday. Japan’s military spending has climbed steadily over the past several years and now surpasses $55 billion annually, a remarkable shift for a nation that spent decades restrained by postwar pacifist policies. The nation is now on the fast track toward once again becoming a major Asia-Pacific military power.