Dec. 11, 2013 / 10:58 PM

Japanese government plans to approve $53B in supplementary budget

TOKYO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Japanese government Thursday prepared to approve a $53 billion supplementary budget ahead of a sales tax hike, sources told Kyodo News.

The allocation for this fiscal year will finance a stimulus package meant to ease any negative economic impact from the 3 percent increase in the sales tax going into effect from next April. The new sales tax rate will be 8 percent from the current 5 percent.

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has put in place several stimulus measures to lift the economy out of its 15-year-old deflation.

The Abe government has decided against issuing additional bonds this fiscal ending next March as tax receipts are expected to be higher than originally estimated with the improving economy, Kyodo said.

Topics
Shinzo Abe

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Defense News // 3 years ago

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine continues to have U.S. support against Russian aggression and is free to decide its own foreign policy during a visit to Kyiv Tuesday.

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Defense News // 3 years ago

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a new security agreement with Georgia Monday, seeking to buttress relations with the Black Sea nation as it continues to face Russian troops in two of its regions.

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Defense News // 3 years ago

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Monday ordered all Department of Defense civilian employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by no later than Nov. 22.

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Defense News // 3 years ago

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is investigating the suspected suicides of three soldiers based at New York's Fort Drum.

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Defense News // 3 years ago

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Four U.S. Marines remain hospitalized after an attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last month as service members were evacuating foreign nationals and refugees.

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

Defense News // 3 years ago

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

SEOUL, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion has agreed to supply its DiaTrust rapid COVID-19 test kit to the U.S. military.

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Defense News // 3 years ago

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Army has successfully tested the MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle to clear it for fielding.

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bahraini leaders committed Thursday to partnering with a new U.S. Navy task force to ramp up new unmanned system efforts.

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. fighter jets escorted a small plane flown by a U.S. Army soldier out of restricted air space over New York City during the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force will take over satellite communications billets, funding and mission responsibility from the U.S. Army and Navy, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.