Japan has unveiled a more assertive defence strategy that includes increased military spending and a build-up of naval forces to counter China, in the most detailed expression yet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s vision of his country as a stronger and more independent?military?power.

Mr Abe’s cabinet approved the 10-year national security strategy yesterday, along with nearer term guidelines covering specifics such as budgets and equipment. The guidelines call for Y24.7tn ($239bn) in defence spending over the next five years, an increase of roughly Y1tn compared with Japan’s previous five-year policy, passed by a preceding government.

While the speed of Japan’s planned expansion is mild compared with the rapid expansion of China’s military capabilities – an expansion Japanese officials described as “untransparent” and “a concern” – it could add to already rising tensions in the region.