Japan invests $2.8 billion in long-range missile technology.

Japan's Defense Ministry has signed contracts worth $3 billion with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop and mass-produce long-range missiles, including enhanced versions of Type 12 missiles and a hypersonic ballistic missile for the defense of remote islands. The development plan is based on a new National Security Strategy that Japan announced in December as it seeks to significantly increase its military power to deter potential threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. Japan plans to nearly double its military spending over the next five years to $372 billion.