Japan seeks bigger role for military

World community should be vigilant of Tokyo's actions: FM spokeswoman

Japan agreed on Tuesday to spend more to boost its military in the coming years, a move that experts believe aims to counter China's rising influence in the region.

The planned 5 percent increase over five years reverses a decade of decline and marks the clearest sign since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office a year ago that he wants a bigger military role for Japan.