 According to Japan's Kyodo November 18, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) proposes the use of old terms of military ranks in Self-Defense Force (SDF). The report said DPJ proposes the inclusion of the old terms of military ranks into the new Draft Guidelines of Defense, which is made at the end of this year. The proposal is seen as the long years' expectation of SDF. However, the proposal will probably remind people of Japanese troops in the old times and is bound to face opposition from media. SDF currently uses special terms for its ranks in order to avoid the association with wars. The report said DPJ also proposes to increase the times that troops of SDF who participate in UN peacekeeping operations meet Mikado. Meanwhile, it proposes the change of the concept of "basic defense capability" to " dynamic deterrence". Besides, the proposal also includes: to strengthen troops of SDF in "Islands in the southwest" to counter China's military expansion; to modify "three principles" of arms export; to establish National Security Committee (NSC) to enhance information collection. The report said no signs show that DPJ's proposal is made through an extensive internal discussion. The current special rank terms play a political role in controlling the strong SDF. Therefore, DPJ's proposal is too hasty and reckless. It reflects DPJ's naiveness and weakness in politics. |
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