Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet on Friday approved a record $730 billion budget for the next fiscal year, while limiting new bond issuance to the lowest in 17 years on the back of record tax revenue.

Japan's government on Friday approved a record budget for the next fiscal year, ramping up spending on social welfare, as the population ages, and defence to tackle regional threats.The 8.7 trillion yen approved Friday will help pay for measures to help attract recruits to Japan's Self-Defense Forces,

Asia-Pacific stocks mostly rose Thursday, with several markets remaining closed for Boxing Day. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.44%, while the Topix added 0.49%, a day after a report said the country was preparing a record $735 billion budget for its fiscal year starting in April.

By Makiko Yamazaki TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet on Friday approved a record $730 billion budget for the next fiscal year, while limiting new bond issuance to the lowest in 17 years on the back of record tax revenue.