Скачать или смотреть ● Japan adopts new defense policy package

The Japanese government has adopted a defense policy package calling for a stronger defense of the country's remote islands, in light of China's maritime ambitions.

The Cabinet approved revised defense program guidelines and a 5-year mid-term defense buildup plan at its meeting on Tuesday.

The guidelines say China is engaging in what are described as dangerous acts that could lead to unexpected situations. North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are described as grave and imminent threats to Japan.

In response, the program calls for a review of the Japan-US defense cooperation guidelines to strengthen the alliance's deterrence power.

On the home front, the guidelines call for more operational integration of Japan's Air, Ground and Maritime Self-Defense Forces and making units more mobile.

The guidelines say Japan should secure in necessary and full terms defensive power in quality and quantity to enhance its own deterrence and response capabilities.

Specifically, the package calls for the creation of an amphibious brigade in the Ground Self-Defense Force to quickly respond to any invasion of the remote islands and retake them.

It says the brigade should be equipped with 52 amphibious vehicles. The number of destroyers and fighter aircraft will also be increased.

To strengthen mobility and surveillance activities, the package calls for introducing 17 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft, 3 drones and 99 maneuver combat vehicles.

It also proposes studies and necessary measures to respond to North Korea's ballistic missile launch capabilities, in a veiled reference to the possibility of Japan acquiring the ability to strike enemy bases.

The mid-term plan sets a 5-year budget of more than 230 billion dollars for these buildup measures.