In a new Asia Pacific Bulletin, Adam P. Liff calls on U.S. policymakers to take note, as both aspects are of considerable significance for Japan’s role in Northeast Asia and the world, as well as for its alliance with the United States. “On December 17, Japan’s Cabinet published the ten-year defense strategy, known as the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG). In response to a rapidly transforming strategic environment, the 2010 NDPG delineates a number of major changes to Japan’s basic defense policy and force structure. At the same time, close examination of the document finds Japan’s “new” defense strategy to be equally noteworthy for its continuity.”
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