Japan's 2015 defense budget request asks for a 2.4% increase over 2014's budget, which was 2.2% greater than that of 2013. Yet the political will to pay for greater defense spending may weaken, as Japan's economy has fallen back into recession despite massive quantitative easing and a stimulus program. A snap general election to secure a continued mandate for the ruling right-wing coalition was to be held on Dec. 14.
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