
US-Japan security ties deepen as Patriot missiles export grows and defense budget soars
The United States praised Japan for strengthening the alliance, including Japan’s approval to export Patriot missiles produced under U.S. license to supplement American stocks. Japan also announced a record 16.5% rise in defense spending and relaxed arms-export rules to allow jointly developed lethal weapons to third countries, signaling a shift from alliance protection to alliance projection amid regional tensions.













