Japan’s new leader vows to bolster defence as regional tensions rise

Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi has delivered her first policy speech (AP)

Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi has pledged to accelerate Japan’s military build-up and spending and complete an early upgrade of the country’s security strategy as tensions rise with China, North Korea and Russia.

Ms Takaichi took office on Tuesday after being elected Japan’s first female leader, ending months of a political vacuum and power struggles within her party following consecutive election defeats that led to the ruling coalition losing its majority in both houses of parliament.