Japan's new defense guidelines seek personnel, equipment reinforcement+

TOKYO, June 21 Kyodo -
Japan's new defense policy guidelines effective between fiscal 2010 and 2014
will seek the reinforcement of defense personnel and equipment in view of
mounting concerns over North Korea's nuclear tests and the rise of China as a
major military power, a draft of the guidelines showed Saturday.

The basic principle of the new National Defense Program Guidelines, which will
be adopted by the government at the year-end, says that Tokyo needs to reverse
its policy of slashing defense budgets, which has been implemented since 1995
following the end of the Cold War, according to the draft, a copy of which was
obtained by Kyodo News.
The document also says there is a need to ''secure options responsive to
changing situations'' of international security, alluding to Tokyo's intention
to consider whether it should be capable of striking enemy bases.
A defense panel of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party proposed on May 26 that
the new five-year defense guidelines should stipulate the need for Japan to be
able to launch preemptive strikes against enemy bases. The proposal was made a
day after North Korea conducted its second nuclear test.
While Japan maintains a defense-only posture under its war-renouncing
Constitution, the government takes the view that the country can strike an
enemy's military base if a hostile missile attack appears certain.
Touching on recent military movements in China and North Korea, the draft says,
''The military in areas neighboring (Japan) has been modernized and
activated.''
It says Japan's current defense capabilities have ''limits'' in dealing with
various contingencies and called for a need to make ''effective responses.''
Specifically, the document urges the government to raise the number of Ground
Self-Defense Force troops by 5,000 to 160,000.
The current defense guidelines, which were adopted in December 2004 and took
effect in April 2005, endorsed a downsizing of the Self-Defense Forces through
a cut of 5,000 ground troops to 155,000. The upcoming guidelines from fiscal
2010 will be the third revision since they were first compiled in 1976.
As for defense capabilities, the draft paper says Japan should boost its
deterrence by demonstrating ''high performances'' of countermeasures. It also
indicates it is necessary for Japan to strengthen its missile defense system
after ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests by Pyongyang.
The draft guidelines also say the SDF should be ''more cost-effective'' in
playing its multifunctional roles, including anti-terror and disaster relief
operations.
The document calls on the SDF to strengthen its ability to fight cyber attacks
and proactively take part in international peace activities. It also urges the
Defense Ministry to promote security dialogues and defense exchanges with
neighboring countries.
A defense expert panel in the prime minister's office is scheduled to compile a
report on the nation's new defense policy around July to lay the groundwork for
the guidelines' revision.
But the contents of the new guidelines might change greatly depending on the
results of the general election that must be held by the fall. The main
opposition Democratic Party of Japan is in a position to possibly seize power
from the Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed the country for most of
the last half century.
==Kyodo