Tokyo, Rabi'I 7, 1438, Dec 6, 2016, SPA -- Japan is planning to increase its defence budget once again amid threats from North Korea and China, dpa cited the Nikkei business magazine as reporting on Tuesday. Ministers want to raise defence spending, already at a record high, to 5.1 trillion yen (40 billion dollars) during the coming fiscal year. The government is expected to vote on the decision this month. If the increase goes ahead, it will be the fifth time in as many years that Japan's defence budget has risen. A five-year defence plan implemented by conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe already allows for an increase of 0.8 per cent per year between 2014 and 2018. The proposals also include a new model of submarine and investment in Japan's ability to withstand cyberattacks. --SPA 16:04 LOCAL TIME 13:04 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w284498