Japan's security policy is likely to change significantly under the new National Defense Program Outline, which lays out guidelines for improving the nation's defense capabilities over the next 10 years. The main feature of the outline, approved by the Cabinet on Friday, is that it is aimed at meeting "new threats," such as international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
There is no question that the nation's defense program should be updated to deal with dramatic changes in the international security environment. Any prudent analysis that supports improvements in defense capabilities must also re-affirm the nation's determination to uphold the constitutional principles of peace that limit the use of force abroad.
It is open to question whether the new program outline has been formulated strictly in this manner. The impression is that the government is rushing to upgrade defense capabilities amid sweeping changes in the international situation. If so, the new guidelines are apt to leave the Japanese people with a vague sense of insecurity rather than provide confidence in security.