The World : Japanese May Seek F-15s

The Japanese Defense Ministry will try to buy 65 advanced U.S.-made F-15 jet fighters during the next five years as part of a plan that would boost overall defense spending to the highest level since 1945, a Tokyo newspaper reported. The daily Asahi said the ministry’s plans would require a defense budget of at least $76 billion for the five years beginning in fiscal 1986. If approved, the five-year budget would exceed 1% of the gross national product, a self-imposed limit since 1976, the paper said. The United States has been calling for greater Japanese defense efforts.