(Tentative Unofficial Translation)

I. Purpose

1. In order to preserve its independence and peace, Japan, under its Constitution, has been making efforts to secure stability in the international community through diplomatic activities including efforts to prevent and settle conflicts, to establish a sound basis for security through domestic political stability, to maintain firmly the Japan-U.S. security arrangements and to build up appropriate defense capabilities.
2. In 1976, under those policies, Japan formulated the National Defense Program Outline (adopted by the National Defense Council and by the Cabinet on October 29, 1976, hereinafter cited as "the Outline"). The Outline was drafted on the premise that the international situation, in which efforts for stabilization were being continued, the international political structure of the surrounding regions and Japan's own domestic situation would not undergo any major changes for some time and judging that the existence of the Japan-U.S. security arrangements would continue to play a major role in maintaining the stability of international relations. Since then, Japan has developed its defense capability according to "the Outline", and the steady defense efforts, in conjunction with the existence of the Japan-U.S. security arrangements and the efforts made to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of these arrangements, have both prevented any aggressions against Japan and contributed to the maintenance of peace and stability in the surrounding region.
3. Herein, a new set of guidelines for Japan's defense capability is laid forth, taking into consideration that almost two decades have passed since the adoption of "the Outline," that during this time the international situation has undergone significant changes,including the demise of the structure of the military confrontation between East and West, led respectively by the Soviet Union and the United States, brought on by the end of the Cold War, and that expectations for the role of the Self-Defense Forces have been increased in such function as providing aid in cases of large-scale disasters and contributing to building a more stable security environment through participation in international peace cooperation activities, in addition to their principal mission of defending Japan.
4. Japan, abiding by its Constitution, following the guidelines set forth herein and paying due attention to enhancing the credibility of the Japan-U.S. security arrangements, will strive to ensure its own national defense and contribute to the peace and stability of the international community by appropriately upgrading, maintaining and operating its capability.