Japan's military to spend on Al, perks to fight recruitment crisis.

Japan's Defence Ministry on Aug 30 said it will invest in artificial intelligence (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.

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The measures, unveiled in its latest defence budget request on Aug 30, come after the Self Defence Forces' (SDF) worst annual recruitment drive.

In the year to March 31, it enrolled just under 10,000 sailors, soldiers and air personnel, half of its target.

Fearful that China could use military force to bring neighbouring Taiwan under its control and drag Japan into a war, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2022 announced a doubling in defence spending to stock up on missiles and other munitions, pay for advanced fighter jets and create a cyber defence force.