New Japan-U.S. defense guidelines due by month’s end are expected to stress bilateral defense cooperation in the event of an armed attack on a nation with close relations with Japan, Jiji Press said Tuesday, quoting Japanese officials. The guidelines will apply in cases where an attack on the ally threatens the survival of Japan.
The U.S. and Japan are revising their defense guidelines for the first time since 1997. The new version will be issued on April 27 following consultations between U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Wednesday. Carter is making his first visit to Asia as U.S. Secretary of Defense.
The new guidelines are expected to stipulate that the U.S. and Japan will undertake joint military operations in such situations involving an ally. The U.S. will also engage in such operations if Japan comes under a direct attack, the officials said.
Japan’s government changed its interpretation of the country’s post-war constitution last year in order to exercise its right to collective self-defense under scenarios of this type.
The old guidelines specified bilateral defense cooperation in normal military situations, such as an armed attack against Japan and in emergency situations in areas surrounding Japan.
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