Japan's government on Friday approved a record budget for the next fiscal year, ramping up spending on social welfare, as the population ages, and defence to tackle regional threats.The 8.7 trillion yen approved Friday will help pay for measures to help attract recruits to Japan's Self-Defense Forces,

Asia-Pacific stocks mostly rose Thursday, with several markets remaining closed for Boxing Day. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.44%, while the Topix added 0.49%, a day after a report said the country was preparing a record $735 billion budget for its fiscal year starting in April.

Japan’s cabinet approved a record ¥115.5 trillion ($732 billion) budget for the fiscal year starting April 2025, setting up the minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for a key test of its longevity in getting the proposal approved by parliament.

Japan's government is in final talks to compile a record over 115 trillion yen ($732 billion) general account budget for the fiscal year from April, Jiji news agency reported on Wednesday. The initial budget will likely exceed 110 trillion yen for the third straight year,