TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Defense Ministry on Friday sought a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China’s increasing threat. Defense officials were also focusing on unmanned weapons and artificial intelligence to make up for the declining number of service members as a result of the country's shrinking population. The ministry's request for 2025 marks the third year of Japan’s rapid five-year military buildup plan