"International cooperation" set as basic task of Japanese Self Defense Forces

The Japanese government has decided to propose amendment to the Self Defense Forces (SDF) law at congress to be held next year, where "international cooperation" will be set as one of SDF' basic tasks. Prior to this, participating in the international cooperation is a "subsidiary task" of SDF.

According to a report of the Yomiuri Shinbun, the SDF law stipulates that "national defense" and "maintain public order" are basic tasks of SDF. Tasks like "international peace cooperation", "mine sweeping", "assistance to South Pole observation" and "transportation of state guests" belong to "subsidiary task". In recent years, international cooperation has become a major task for SDF. Therefore, the Japanese government decides to amend the SDF law to make "international cooperation" as important as "national defense". By setting "international cooperation" a basic task of SDF, Japan will be able to participate in international peace cooperation more flexibly upon request of UN and other countries.

By People's Daily Online