Japan Unveils New Defense Policies, Spending Down 3 Percent
NTDTelevision
2010-12-17
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Japan unveiled a sweeping update of its national defense policies on Friday. The new policies refocus Japan's defense capabilities as it confronts China's military buildup and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
The Japanese government has just approved a new 280 billion dollar defense plan for the next five years. That's down 3 percent from the last five-year's spending due to budget constraints.
The plan will strengthen Japan's defense posture to its southwest, where it shares a maritime border with China. It will boost the number of combat aircraft on the southern island of Okinawa and station troops on smaller islands.
The policy update is the first major revision in six years. It reflects Japan's anxiety about its neighbors China and North Korea.
[Toshimi Kitazawa, Japanese Defense Minister]:
"I think we have been able to put forth a defense policy, which includes troops with mobility, that is appropriate for the tough security environment and the new era."
Japan's military, which is bigger than Britain's, has for years been pushing the limits of a post-World War Two constitution that says it must remain a pacifist nation.
Japan says the new defense policy should not become a threat to any neighbors.
[Yoshito Sengoku, Japan's Chief Government Spokesperson]:
"We also stand by our fundamental principle to stick to our defense-oriented policy in accordance with the Japanese constitution and never to become a military giant that threatens other countries."
The report, however, points to China's rising military as a concern to Japan.
[Yoshito Sengoku, Japan's Chief Government Spokesperson]:
"China's movements, such as the lack of transparency in its ever-expanding military spending as well as the fact that we had to protest against China on several matters throughout the year, have become a matter of concern for us."
Japan unveiled a sweeping update of its national defense policies on Friday. The new policies refocus Japan's defense capabilities as it confronts China's military buildup and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
The Japanese government has just approved a new 280 billion dollar defense plan for the next five years. That's down 3 percent from the last five-year's spending due to budget constraints.
The plan will strengthen Japan's defense posture to its southwest, where it shares a maritime border with China. It will boost the number of combat aircraft on the southern island of Okinawa and station troops on smaller islands.
The policy update is the first major revision in six years. It reflects Japan's anxiety about its neighbors China and North Korea.
[Toshimi Kitazawa, Japanese Defense Minister]:
"I think we have been able to put forth a defense policy, which includes troops with mobility, that is appropriate for the tough security environment and the new era."
Japan's military, which is bigger than Britain's, has for years been pushing the limits of a post-World War Two constitution that says it must remain a pacifist nation.
Japan says the new defense policy should not become a threat to any neighbors.
[Yoshito Sengoku, Japan's Chief Government Spokesperson]:
"We also stand by our fundamental principle to stick to our defense-oriented policy in accordance with the Japanese constitution and never to become a military giant that threatens other countries."
The report, however, points to China's rising military as a concern to Japan.
[Yoshito Sengoku, Japan's Chief Government Spokesperson]:
"China's movements, such as the lack of transparency in its ever-expanding military spending as well as the fact that we had to protest against China on several matters throughout the year, have become a matter of concern for us."
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