In April 2014, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) set up the Airborne Early Warning Group, equipped with the E-2C, in Okinawa to strengthen the surveillance of Japan’s territorial islands. In January 2016, the 9th Air Wing was established by adding an additional F-15 fighter squadron. The JASDF is currently integrating the latest airborne early warning and control systems, long-endurance unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, aerial refueling tankers and transport aircraft into force structures. To prepare for cyber warfare, the Cyber Defense Unit, integrating the cyber warfare functions of all three branches of Self-Defense Forces, including ground, air and maritime forces, was created in March 2014, within the Ministry of Defense. This was followed by the establishment of the Cybersecurity Strategy Headquarters and the National Center for Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity in January 2015. Japan is also enhancing its capacity for monitoring ballistic missiles, using the reconnaissance satellite, and is improving its space surveillance system for stable use of the space. Moreover, the Japan Self-Defense Forces are participating in counter-piracy and international emergency relief efforts. They have dispatched two destroyers, two P-3C units and support troops to Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. Navy ships, transport aircraft and disaster relief medical teams were also dispatched in December 2014 to support the search for the missing Indonesian plane, and in April 2015 to assist the recovery effort in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake. | China | China has set the goal of creating a ‘moderately prosperous society’ (xiaokangshehui)19) by 2020, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Community Party, and becoming a prosperous, democratic, harmonious and strong socialist country by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. In the 2015 Chinese defense white paper, ‘China’s Military Strategy,’ it emphasized that “China’s dream is that of a strong nation, and the military’s dream is that of a strong military,” and made clear its resolve for a China-led regionalism in East Asia by declaring a new security concept whereby ‘the people of Asia uphold the security of Asia.’20) Under the slogan of ‘winning local wars under the conditions of informatization,’ China is innovating its military strategy and optimizing its military structure. Following the announcement by President Xi Jinping during the 2015 Victory Day parade, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, to reduce the manpower of the People’s Liberation Army by 300,000 troops, 19) ‘‘Xiaokangshehui’ is a stage of social development in China that is supposed to follow the stage of ‘wenbao,’ meaning warmness and fullness. While ‘wenbao’ is about meeting the basic needs of citizens, ‘xiaokangsheshui’ refers to a middle-class society in which its members are able to enjoy culture and leisure. 20) this concept was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his keynote speech at the fourth Conference on interaction and Confidence-building Measures in asia (CiCa) Summit in May 2014. 18 Chapter 1 Changes and Challenges in the Security environment