Japan okays overhaul of military policy
Japan has approved an overhaul of its military policy to take account of threats from China and North Korea and to allow defence exports to the United States.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet approved both a revised set of guidelines for military planners and a five-year blueprint for defence procurement.
"The cabinet approved them in the meeting this morning," a spokeswoman for the prime minister said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A copy of the document obtained by AFP said: "China, which has a great impact on security in this region, is pushing ahead with enhancing its nuclear and missile capabilities in modernising its navy and air force while expanding marine activities."
"We need to continue to watch these moves in the future," it said.
The guidelines said North Korea was "developing, deploying and proliferating weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles and maintains large-scale special units."
Comments