Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Sept 16, 2020. (CARL COURT / POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

TOKYO - Japan’s military has asked Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s new government for its ninth straight annual budget increase, including funds to begin development of an advanced stealth fighter.

The Ministry of Defence budget proposal released on Wednesday seeks a 3.3 percent climb in spending to a record 5.49 trillion yen (US$52 billion) for the year starting April 1. Finance ministry officials will review and possibly amend the request before passing it on to Suga’s cabinet.

The Ministry of Defence budget proposal released on Wednesday seeks a 3.3 percent climb in spending to a record 5.49 trillion yen (US$52 billion) for the year starting April 1 

ALSO READ: Japan ruling party eyes strike capability in enemy territory

If approved, the plan would continue a build-up pursued by Suga’s predecessor Shinzo Abe, that has seen Japan buy planes, missiles and aircraft carriers to give its Self Defence Forces greater range and potency. 

The latest defence budget request also comes as Japanese policymakers debate whether to arm and train its military to strike distant land targets.

Japan’s new proposed jet fighter, the first in three decades, is expected to cost around US$40 billion and be ready sometime in the 2030s. The latest budget request asks for US$731 million for development and research.

Japan’s leading defence company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is expected to be named as lead contractor next month.

ALSO READ: Raytheon 'lobbies for Lockheed's US$300m radar deal' with Japan

Several overseas companies are also vying to join the project as suppliers and partners, including Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp from the United States and BAE Systems Plc and Rolls Royce Holdings Plc from Britain.

Other proposed purchases include 66.6 billion yen for six Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters, two of which are short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) B variants that will operate off a converted helicopter carrier.

The military also wants 99 billion yen to build two new compact warships that can operate with fewer sailors than conventional destroyers and ease pressure on a navy struggling to find recruits in an ageing Japan.

READ MORE: Japan gets its 8th defense budget hike, hits US$48.56b

It also wants to upgrade early warning radars and ballistic missile defenses, and is asking for funds to be put aside for an as-yet undecided replacement for two planned Aegis Ashore radar stations that were canceled in June due to costs and concerns about the impact on local residents.