Japan’s prime minister demands investment in military during debate

Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida (Issel Kato/AP)

Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida called for increases in Japan’s military capability and spending in response to what he described as growing threats from China and North Korea in a public debate with eight other political party leaders ahead of upcoming national elections.

The party leaders also discussed ways to mend the pandemic-hit economy and respond to any future waves of the coronavirus, issues expected to feature prominently in the October 31 elections.