WEB DESK
Japan yesterday said it plans to offer friendly nations financial assistance to help them bolster their defences. The move comes as Tokyo continues to adopt a more proactive approach to defence. Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) will be operated separately from the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) program and aid will not be used to buy lethal weapons that recipient countries could use in conflicts with other nations, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a news conference.
The decision to expand the scope of international aid to military-related projects follows Japan’s announcement in December of a military build-up that will double defence spending within five years as it looks to counter China’s growing military might in Asia.