Panel moots major defense policy shift / Flexibility, efficiency and mobility key

The Yomiuri Shimbun

A governmental panel of experts is soon to recommend scrapping the basic defense concept of evenly deploying Self-Defense Forces throughout the country and instead focus more on mobile and effective arrangements to cope with limited and small-scale invasions, it has been learned.

Tasked with updating the National Defense Program Guidelines to be formulated in December, the panel has compiled a draft report that sees a need for a shift in SDF deployment from current arrangements, to focus heavily on the Nansei Islands area that includes the Okinawa Islands, sources said.

The report stresses the ability to cope with multiple contingencies, rather than a single missile attack or similar occurrences. It says it is necessary to respond proactively to limited, small-scale invasions and contingencies on the Korean Peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait.

According to the report, which will be submitted to Prime Minister Naoto Kan in early August, the Basic Defense Force Concept is unsuitable given as it stands, the current security environment.

The concept has been the basis for Japan's defense policy since the Cold War era, first presented in the 1976 National Defense Program Guidelines, later maintained in 1995 and 2004. It is designed to enable Japan to maintain the minimum basic defense capabilities necessary, and to ensure there is no power vacuum when responding to an attack.

The advisory panel to the prime minister, headed by Shigetaka Sato, chief executive officer of Keihan Electric Railway Co., also suggests improvements to defense policy, taking into consideration previous discussions concerning interpretation of the Constitution and the right to collective self-defense.

To realize a change in the government's interpretation of the Constitution to enable the SDF to intercept missiles fired at the United States, the report asks that the government take steps to allow the SDF to conduct drills to handle such situations.

It also will propose relaxation of the three principles regarding arms exports, according to the draft report.

The draft report proposes allowing joint development and production of weapons with the United States and allies sharing similar values. It also calls for granting approval to Japanese corporations hoping to participate in international weapons development and production programs.

Japan should also contribute to the world's peace and stability, participating in U.N. peacekeeping activities, disaster-relief programs and efforts to combat piracy, it says.

The draft report also reiterates the important role of the Japan-U.S. alliance in determining the nation's security and stability within the Asia-Pacific region.

The strategic importance of Okinawa Prefecture is set to increase and, therefore, joint use of U.S. bases in Japan should be promoted, it says.

The National Defense Program Guidelines will form the backbone for improvements in defense system policy for about a decade. The previous Liberal Democratic Party-led administration was originally scheduled to compile the new guidelines in December 2009. The Democratic Party of Japan-led administration, however, postponed this after it swept to power last year. The new panel was established in February and members have been discussing the matter since then.