Defense chief Gen Nakatani said Tuesday that a bigger role for Self-Defense Forces officials in drafting the next overall operation plan for troops will provide a boost to the somewhat strained relationship between the officers and civilian bureaucrats in the Defense Ministry.
"It is important that drafting of plans and policy decision making are done properly as we enhance the unity between the civil bureaucrats and SDF officials," Nakatani said at a regular news conference.
Nakatani was referring to the ministry's policy, announced Friday, to partly transfer authority from civilian bureaucrats to uniformed SDF personnel in drafting overall operation plans after senior SDF officials requested a larger role in their formulation.