The Japanese Cabinet has approved a record 8.7 trillion yen ($55 billion) defense budget plan for 2025 as Japan accelerates building up its strike-back capability with long-range cruise missiles and starts deploying Tomahawks to further fortify the country against growing threat from China,

Japan’s cabinet approved a record ¥115.5 trillion ($732 billion) budget for the fiscal year starting April 2025, setting up the minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for a key test of its longevity in getting the proposal approved by parliament.