TOKYO: Japan's defence ministry on Friday (Aug 30) said it will invest in AI, automation and improving troop conditions to address a worsening recruitment shortfall that has left its forces understaffed amid a build up aimed at countering China's growing military power. The measures, unveiled in its latest defence budget request on Friday, come after the Self Defense Forces' (SDF) worst ever annual recruitment drive. In the year to March 31 it enrolled just under 10,000 sailors, soldiers and