The five-year defense buildup program would bring Japan's annual spending to around $64 billion, making it the world’s third-largest spender after the U.S. and China. Japan will clear the 2% target by March as promised, the Finance Ministry said.

At least 15 people were injured during a knife and chemical attack at a Japanese rubber factory on Friday (December 26), the Associated Press reports. Eight people were reported to be stabbed and seven others were injured with a chemical believed to be bleach during the incident,