Japanese PM prioritises arms build-up and reversing low birth rate

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a Diet session at the lower house of parliament (AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said his country faces the severest security environment in the region since the end of the Second World War as he outlined his government’s priorities.

In a speech opening this year’s parliamentary session, he pledged to push a military build-up under a new security strategy over the next five years and beyond, as well as tackling rapidly declining births so the country can sustain national strength.