North Korea condemns Japan’s record defence budget

North Korea has condemned Japan’s plan to increase defence spending to a record level, accusing Tokyo of preparing for a “war of aggression” and warning that Pyongyang will “counterattack thoroughly” with united strength.

The statement came after Japan’s Defence Ministry requested a record 8.9 trillion yen ($60 billion) for the next fiscal year. The final defence budget is expected to reach around 10 trillion yen when approved at the end of the year, according to foreign media reports, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“The expansion of the war budget is a dangerous move that brings new turmoil to the region and the world,” the commentary said. 

“There can be no doubt that the massive increase in military spending will lead to an arms buildup aimed at completing preparations for a war of aggression,” it added, saying the international community “will never tolerate the military buildup of the descendants of a war-criminal state and will thoroughly counter it with united strength.”

North Korea also criticised Japan’s planned deployment of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, while pointing to Japan’s record national debt of 1,343 trillion yen at the end of last year.

By Sabina Mammadli