Abstract: At the end of 2017, reports concerning Japan’s military and security affairs were frequently seen in the media, bringing the strategic agenda of Japan again to the attention of the outside world. First, the National Security Guarantee Strategy formulated in 2013 and initially intended to cover a 10-year period, is likely to undergo adjustments at the end of 2018. It is generally believed that the Japanese government is considering adding contents such as the Indo-Pacific pact and developing the capability to launch attacks on enemy bases in the revised strategy. Correspondingly, Japan will initiate discussions on the revision of the National Defense Program Outline early in 2018, which will be guided by the new security strategy as well as focus on how to reflect the US-Japan military cooperation after the new security law is implemented and how to respond to the US demand to increase the purchase of American arms. Full text available here.
