Could Japan become one of the world’s biggest defense spenders?

From the BBC World Service: Japan’s defense ministry has requested a record $40 billion for its next budget, even though the country can’t have an active military under its pacifist constitution after losing World War II. Plus, Russia has again cut off gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany. And, Germany considers a speed limit on its famed autobahn (freeways) as part of efforts to save fuel.