Japan PM pledges to boost defence, diplomatic capabilities to preserve peace, NHK says

FILE PHOTO: Fumio Kishida Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) delivers a speech during the party convention on March 17, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will work to strengthen its defence and diplomatic capabilities to maintain peace, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said on Saturday, according to public broadcaster NHK, adding that military buildups around the country have been growing.

Japan is a close ally with the United States and has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supporting Kyiv financially and joining international sanctions on Moscow.