Japan’s Ministry of Defense requested a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) budget for the next year on Friday to bolster defense on its southwestern islands amid growing threats from China, according to AP. Japanese defense officials also focus on unmanned weaponry and artificial intelligence to compensate for the reduction in military personnel due to the country’s declining population. The ministry’s request for 2025 marks the third year of Japan’s rapid five-year military buildup plan under the current government security strategy. Japan plans to spend 43 trillion yen (297 billion dollar…