Backgrounder: Japan´s changing national defense policy

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-09-2007 15:16

The ceremony to mark the upgrading of Japan's Defense Agency -- signals a shift in the scope, and direction, for the country's armed forces. Let's take a brief look back at the former Defense Agency and Japan's changing national defense policy.

Many analysts view the upgrading the armed forces administration as part of an effort to restore Japan's right to go to war abroad, and reflects Japan's military ambitions.

Japan upgrades Defense Agency to Ministry. Full Story >>

Since 1954, the "Defense Agency of Japan" was restricted by the war-renouncing pacifist constitution. Its main tasks were defense of the nation, maintaining social stability and disaster relief at home.

New legislation was approved in December 2006 that widens the scope of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to include overseas missions as part of their essential duties, including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and even logistic support for the U.S. army.

The changes will alter the nature of the Japanese military. Some analysts warn that the new legislation will clear the way for Japanese armed forces to subsequently justify their unconstrained entry into a wary Asian region, and the world.

The world, and especially Asia, will be carefully watching the new Defense Ministry in the days ahead -- to see what its forces will actually do.

Editor:Du Xiaodan