17 December 2010

The main points of the summary of National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG), which the Government of Japan approved on 17 December 2010, are:

1. While reducing Cold War-style equipments and organizations, priority functions, including those in southwestern Japan, will be enhanced. (V.3.(1))
   
   
2. Japan will build a "Dynamic Defence Force" to increase the credibility of its deterrent capability by promoting timely and active operations. (IV.1.(6) and (7))
   
   
3. The aim of this approach is to build more flexible and versatile forces so that Japan can respond to various contingencies, from traditional threats (e.g. North Korea's missile threat) to new types of challenges (e.g. contingencies in off-shore islands of southwestern Japan and cyber security), and so that Japan can participate in peace-keeping operations in a more efficient and effective manner as well. (V.3.(1) and (4))

The full summary of National Defense Program Guidelines FY 2011- (pdf)