Japan's PM Convenes Panel To Review Security And Defence Strategies

SPACEWAR

Tokyo (AFP) Apr 27, 2004
Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi convened a panel of advisors Tuesday to map out security and defence strategies to cope with mounting terrorist acts and the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

"It is a major task for us to consider how we deal with the new threats. It is important to make a drastic review of the overall defence capabilities," he said in an opening speech at the inaugural meeting of the 10-member panel.

The panel -- made up of 10 business leaders, academics and former defence officials -- is scheduled meet twice a month to work out policy proposals by the end of the year.

It is led by Hiroshi Araki, a senior advisor to Tokyo Electric Power Co.

The Defence Agency is due to revise its basic defence strategy, which was laid out in 1995 but called into question following the September 11 terror attacks in the United States, on the basis of the panel's proposals.

Koizumi, who has strengthened Japan's ties with the United States, said that his country's security and prosperity relies on world peace and stability.

His government has sent troops to Iraq on a non-combat, humanitarian mission -- Japan's first military deployment since World War II in a country where fighting is underway.

Tokyo has also been alarmed at repeated missile launches by North Korea in to the Sea of Japan, prompting the government last year to deploy a US-developed ballistic missile defense shield and continue conducting joint research with the United States to improve on the system.

The panel includes former deputy chief cabinet secretary Teijiro Furukawa, Toyota Motor Corp. president Fujio Cho, former Japanese ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai and former vice defence minister Ken Sato.

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