Reuters:
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s new foreign minister Taro Kono said on Tuesday international pressure against North Korea must be maintained until Pyongyang clearly demonstrates that it will give up its nuclear program.
Japan’s military is set to ask for record defense spending of 5.26 trillion yen ($48.12 billion) for the year starting April 1, as it upgrades ballistic missile defenses against possible North Korean military action, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.
Fears about North Korea’s missile and nuclear development have grown in recent weeks as Pyongyang in July launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and said this month it was considering plans to fire missiles toward the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.
While the North later said it was holding off firing toward Guam, regional tension remains high.
