Japan Cabinet OKs record military budget with eye on China

TOKYO — Japan's Cabinet has approved the country' largest defense budget, with plans to buy surveillance aircraft and F-35 fighter jets to improve defenses of disputed islands amid China's assertiveness in the region.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet on Wednesday approved a nearly 5 trillion yen ($42 billion) budget for the year beginning in April, a 2 percent rise. The budget must still be approved by parliament.

The military outlays were included in a record 96.3 trillion yen ($814 billion) total budget for the coming fiscal year.

The increase mainly covers new equipment, including P-1 surveillance aircraft, F-35 fighter jets and amphibious vehicles for a new unit to boost island defenses.

Chinese patrol boats often visit waters near the uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, which are controlled by Japan.