Abe eyeing bold review of defense guidelines

December 16, 2017

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday signaled his intention to drastically revamp the country's defense guidelines, in the face of growing threats from North Korea.

In a speech in Tokyo, Abe said that the government will start full discussions on a review of the guidelines soon after the turn of the year.

"We'll squarely face the tough reality surrounding our country, such as progress in North Korea's nuclear and missile technology, and study how Japan's defense capabilities really should be to protect citizens, not in an extension of the existing system," Abe said.

A major focus is whether Japan should be allowed to possess an ability to attack enemy bases, advocated by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Abe may have indicated his tolerance of the country having such an ability, by saying "not in an extension of the existing system," observers said.

The current defense guidelines were produced in December in 2013. According to government officials, the new guidelines are expected to be outlined next summer and finalized by the end of 2018.

Abe said that his government will develop powerful diplomatic and security policies in response to a public mandate shown in the House of Representatives election in October.

Still, he said that Japan's exclusively defense-oriented posture will remain a key principle.

At a press conference on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that Japan depends on the United States for abilities to attack enemy bases. Japan is not considering changing the basic role-sharing with the United States, the top government spokesman added. Jiji Press