Japanese SDF troops take part in a drill with the U.S. Marine soldiers in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

China and North Korea are identified in the review as key threats to national security -- the first time specific countries have been cited in this fashion.

Regarding the main missions of the Self-Defense Forces, the government has added "improvement of the international security environment" to the traditional objective of repelling attacks on Japan's territory.

This would pave the way for more active participation in international peacekeeping activities.

The overall budget for the plan was set at ¥24.24 trillion, down ¥920 billion from the current one and the first cut ever.

Also on Dec. 10, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda stated that Japan would lift its self-imposed ban on arms exports to allow the sale to the United States of weapons and equipment related to missile defense projects it is jointly pursing with Washington.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 18, 2004
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