TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her first major policy speech on Friday, pledged to further accelerate Japan’s military buildup and spending and complete an early upgrade of the country’s security strategy as tensions rise with China, North Korea and Russia.
Takaichi took office Tuesday after being elected Japan’s first female leader. That ended months of a political vacuum amid power struggles within her party following consecutive election defeats that led to the ruling coalition’s loss of a majority in both houses of parliament.
Takaichi said Friday her government will hit an annual military spending target of 2% of gross domestic product by March, instead of by 2027 under the initial plan. She will revise the security strategy early and have it ready by the en

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