Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged on Friday to accelerate a defence spending target by two years, as her government pursues proactive fiscal expansion on strategic priorities.

In her first policy speech, Takaichi told parliament that Japan aims to reach a defence spending goal of 2 percent of gross domestic product in the current fiscal year through March, ahead of the original target of fiscal 2027.

"Japan must take the initiative in fundamentally strengthening its defense capabilities," she added, with the faster pace underscoring her commitment to spending she terms "proactive" in an attempt to stimulate economic growth, based on her argument that a strong economy is a prerequisite for sound fiscal policy.

Japan set its defence spending goal of 2 percent in 2022, pledging to allocate around US$285 billion over five years, a historic shift from its postwar norm of capping defence outlays at around 1 percent of GDP. Defence expenditures in the initial budget for the current fiscal year account for about 1.8 percent of GDP.

Still, Japan has struggled to secure stable funding sources for the planned 43 trillion yen defence build-up.

Earlier reports indicate that Takaichi is expected to signal Japan's willingness to accelerate its defence build-up beyond the threshold of 2 percent during upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump.

However, she is not expected to commit to a new spending target at the meeting, which comes amid Washington's calls for allies to shoulder more of the regional security burden.

On immigration, another issue close to Trump's policy heart, Takaichi said Japan needs foreign workers to address labour shortages due to a declining population but some "rule breaches" had made the public feel "uneasy".

"Some illegal activities and breaches of rules by certain foreigners have created situations where members of the public feel uneasy and perceive unfairness," she said amid widespread claims that she has created a ministry for "mass deportations".

That claims spread following her appointment on Tuesday of Kimi Onoda for a number of roles, chiefly economic security minister and minister in charge of a "society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals".

A department with the same name was created under Takaichi's predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, although the appointment of a cabinet minister to supervise it is new.

Onoda said on Wednesday that Japan "will strictly handle foreign nationals who do not follow the rules", but there was no mention of mass deportations.

"While we draw a clear line from xenophobia, the government will respond resolutely to such acts," Takaichi said in her policy address on Friday. (Agencies)