The National Diet Building of Japan is seen in Tokyo on June 16, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

TOKYO - Japan's Diet, the country's parliament, on Friday enacted into law a bill to create a pool of funds to cover part of a substantial increase in defense spending.

The bill was approved by a majority vote at a plenary meeting of the House of Councillors despite attempts by major opposition parties to block it, enabling the government to set aside non-tax revenues for multiyear use.

Lawmaker Shinichi Shiba of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Friday criticized the government for being irresponsible and the plan for being misleading, as if it is trying to give the appearance that there will be no new taxation to cover the defense spending increase

The legislation stipulates creating a fund within the government's general account to boost Japan's defense spending from non-tax revenue including that from sales of state properties, money created through spending reform and surplus from financial results.

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The legislation is an integral part of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's plan to increase total defense spending to about 43 trillion yen ($305 billion) through fiscal 2027.

The opposition camp has criticized Kishida for focusing on the size of defense spending rather than its substance, adding that the government's defense budget increase plan is still based on the assumption of raising taxes.

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Lawmaker Shinichi Shiba of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Friday criticized the government for being irresponsible and the plan for being misleading, as if it is trying to give the appearance that there will be no new taxation to cover the defense spending increase.