Japan defence ministry makes largest-ever budget requestJapan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) has approved defence spending rises Japan's defence ministry has made its biggest ever budget request, amid severe tensions with China over a maritime dispute in the East China Sea. The ministry is seeking 5.05 trillion yen (£29.4bn; $48.7bn) for the year - a 3.5% rise. If approved, it would mark the third year the defence budget had been increased, after a de
