Japan aims to increase its defense budget to a record $54 billion next year due to threats from China, reports Kyodo. The publication, citing its sources, reports that Japan’s Ministry of Defense plans to request a record budget of $54 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. This budget will include a request for deploying drones to better protect remote islands amid China’s “growing military assertiveness.” This refers to the Nansei island chain, which is strategically important due to its proximity to Taiwan. Japan has sharply increased its defense budget after the government pledged to finance de…