防衛費最大の５．４兆円で調整　中期防増額にらむ―２２年度予算案

　政府は、２０２２年度予算案の防衛関係費を５兆４０００億円程度とする方向で調整に入った。今年度当初予算の５兆３４２２億円を上回り、８年連続で過去最大を更新する。複数の政府関係者が１６日、明らかにした。
　防衛省は、２２年度当初と２１年度補正（７７３８億円）を合わせて、「防衛力強化加速パッケージ」と位置付ける。６兆円を超える総額を年間防衛費の基準とし、来年末をめどに策定する次期中期防衛力整備計画（中期防・２３～２７年度）での防衛費増額をにらむ。
　現行中期防の総額は５年で約２７兆５０００億円。次期中期防はこれを大きく上回り、３０兆円を超える可能性がある。（2021/12/16-16:26）

The Japanese government is considering including a record 5.4 trillion yen in defense expenditures in its budget for fiscal 2022, which starts next April, officials said Thursday.
   Defense spending is expected to hit a record high for the eighth consecutive year under an initial budget. The fiscal 2021 initial budget includes 5,342.2 billion yen in defense outlays.
   Under the fiscal 2021 supplementary budget, now under deliberation at parliament, the government earmarks 773.8 billion yen in defense spending.
   The government plans to increase its defense spending to counter threats from China and North Korea, which are building up their military capabilities.
   In addition, the United States is calling on its allies, including Japan, to strengthen their defense capabilities.