The Self-Defense Forces need to enhance their capabilities to respond effectively to multiple emergencies, an advisory panel for Prime Minister Naoto Kan says, while calling for relaxing Japan's decades-long nonnuclear principles and arms embargo rules.
A copy of the panel's draft report, which was made available Wednesday, contains proposals on the key defense and national security agenda. The final report will serve as the basis for the government to set its defense policy guidelines for the year from next April and beyond.
The draft report refers to the possibility that in the event hostilities erupt near its territory, Japan could be exposed to missile attacks or battles on one of its remote islands while SDF troops are providing support for U.S. forces.