Part Ⅱ Japan’s Security and Defense Policy Japan’s Basic Defense Policy The following are set forth as national defense objectives: ● to create, on a steady-state basis, a security environment desirable for Japan by integrating and drawing on the strengths at the nation’s disposal; ● to deter threats from reaching Japan by making opponents realize that doing harm to Japan would be difficult and consequential; and ● should a threat reach Japan, to squarely counter the threat and minimize damage. Under the basic precept of maintaining an exclusively defense-oriented policy, Japan will strengthen each of the means by which to successfully achieve these national defense objectives: Japan’s own architecture for national defense; the Japan-U.S. Alliance; and international security cooperation. Priorities in Strengthening Defense Capability In order to adapt to increasingly rapid changes in the security environment, Japan will enhance priority capability areas as early as possible. ● Strengthening Capabilities Necessary for Cross-Domain Operations ● Strengthening capabilities in the new domains of space, cyberspace and electromagnetic spectrum ● Strengthening capabilities in the traditional domains, such as capabilities in maritime and air domains, stand-off defense capability, comprehensive air and missile defense capability, and maneuver and deployment capability ● Strengthening sustainability and resiliency by promoting necessary measures for securing ammunition and fuel, ensuring maritime shipping lanes, and protecting important infrastructure. ● Strengthening core elements comprising defense capability ● Strengthening core elements of defense capability by reinforcing the human resource base, technology base, and defense industrial base, reviewing equipment structure, etc. Organization of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) ● Joint Operation to Realize Cross-Domain Operations ● The SDF will establish new units in the domains of space, cyberspace and electromagnetic spectrum, strengthen its posture, build comprehensive air and missile defense capability, and maintain a maritime transport unit as an integrated unit. ● Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) ● The GSDF will maintain rapidly deployable basic operational units furnished with advanced mobility and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, and mobile operating units equipped with specialized functions. The GSDF will strengthen its ability to deter and counter threats by taking measures including persistent steady-state maneuvers. ● To be able to counter an invasion of remote islands, the GSDF will maintain surface-to-ship guided missile units and hyper-velocity gliding projectile units for remote island defense. ● Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) ● The MSDF will maintain reinforced destroyer units including a new type of destroyers (FFM), minesweeper units, and embarked patrol helicopter units, and will organize surface units. The MSDF will establish patrol ship units to enable enhanced steady-state ISR in the waters around Japan. ● In order to conduct underwater ISR, and to engage in patrols and defense in the waters around Japan, the MSDF will maintain reinforced submarine units. ● In order to conduct wide-area airborne ISR, and to effectively engage in patrols and defense in the waters around Japan, the MSDF will maintain fixed-wing patrol aircraft units. ● Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) ● The ASDF will maintain ground-based warning and control units capable of conducting sustained surveillance in the airspace around Japan, and air warning and control units capable of conducting airborne warning, surveillance and control also during situations with heightened tensions, such as “gray-zone” situations. ● The ASDF will maintain fighter aircraft units reinforced by high-performance fighter aircraft, and aerial refueling and transport units. ● The ASDF will maintain unmanned aerial vehicle units which enable it to conduct information collection in areas remote from Japan and persistent airborne monitoring during situations with heightened tensions. Medium Term Defense Program (FY2019–FY2023; MTDP) 25 ● The MTDP sets forth the policy for the build-up of defense capability, and main projects for the five-year period from FY2019 to FY2023. ● In order to build a structure that is capable of realizing cross-domain operations, the SDF will conduct reorganization of its major units. ● The SDF will conduct programs to strengthen capabilities in both new and traditional domains. ● The SDF will conduct programs to strengthen core elements of defense capabilities, including reinforcement of the human resource base. DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2020