On the Mid-Term Defense Build-up Plan

(FY1996-FY2000)

(Tentative Unofficial translation)
December 14, 1995
Decided by the Security Council

Regarding the Mid-Term Defense Build-up Plan which covers the period from FY1996 to FY2000, it was decided on as described in the attached paper, based upon "the National Defense Program Outline in and after FY1996" (adopted by the Security Council and by the Cabinet on November 28, 1995).

Attached Paper

The Mid-Term Defense Build-up Plan (FY1996-FY2000)

1. Guidelines for planning

Regarding the defense build-up from FY1996 to FY2000, efforts shall be made under the following guidance to upgrade and maintain appropriate defense capability in accordance with "the National Defense Program Outline in and after FY1996" (adopted by the Security Council and by the Cabinet on November 28, 1995, hereinafter cited as "the new Defense Outline").

1. Concerning such points as major units and main equipment, promote rationalization, effectiveness and compactness while paying attention to smooth transition to the new force levels set forth in the new Defense Outline.
   
   
2. To be able to effectively respond to various situations, make efforts to enhance necessary functions and qualitative improvement of the defense capability.
   
   
3. Set to work on measures to ensure appropriate flexibility so that smooth response can be made to changing situations, by maintaining, in such sections as for education and training, personnel and equipment which require long training or acquisition time periods and by retaining Self-Defense Force Reservists with high readiness.
   
   
4. Continue to promote various measures to enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements.
   
   
5. Promote various measures to contribute to creation of a more stable security environment.
   
   
6. Make further efforts to upgrade and maintain the moderate defense capability, taking into account economic, much severer fiscal and other situations at the time and in harmony with other national policies.

2. Reorganization of the major units and other points

1. Concerning the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), while paying attention to modernization of equipment, five divisions shall be restructured. Two of them shall be reorganized into brigades, one of which into a brigade with improved airborne mobility. Some units of each of the restructured divisions and brigades shall be organized mainly with the Self-Defense Force Reservists with high readiness. In addition, take necessary measures in respect of the Self-Defense Force Reservists with high readiness.
   
   During the course of the above-mentioned restructuring, the organized strength and the authorized number of the regular Self-Defense Officials of the GSDF shall be reduced gradually as planned. At the end of the planning period, the organized strength, and the authorized numbers of the regular Self-Defense Officials and the Ready Self-Defense Reservists are estimated respectively approximately at 172 thousand, 167 thousand and 5 thousand. Furthermore, the manning of the regular Self-Defense Officials of the GSDF is estimated, considering the reduction of the authorized number, approximately at 147 thousand at the end of the planning period.
   
   
2. Concerning the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), two divisions of the Escort Ship Units (Regional District Units) shall be disbanded. An education unit shall be newly organized in the Submarine Force. Mine-sweeping units for mobile operation shall be consolidated into one mine-sweeping flotilla. In addition, one squadron of the fixed-wing patrol aircraft units shall be disbanded. One squadron of each of the fixed-wing aircraft units and the land based patrol helicopter units shall be converted into an education squadron specially for training pilots.
   
   
3. Concerning the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF), as regards the aircraft control and warning units, a part of the warning groups in two Air Defense Forces shall be reorganized into the warning squadrons. One squadron of the fighter-interceptor units shall be disbanded.
   
   
4. From the viewpoint of paying special attention to joint and integrated operation of each of the Self-Defense Forces, study enhancement of the Joint Staff Council's functions and take necessary measures.

3. Major programs

1. Air defense capability
   
   (1) Concerning interception capability for air defense, to respond to the future trends of science and technology and to utilize the existing fighter-interceptors (F-15) in the future, implement a test modification program for their modernization.
   
   (2) Concerning anti-air artillery to defend vital and other areas, continue to improve capability of the existing surface to air guided missile (Patriot) as well as acquire equipment and material for improvement of the surface to air guided missile (Hawk).
   
   In addition, acquire equipment and material for improvement of the short-range surface to air guided missiles, and close-range surface to air guided missiles, anti-air guns and other systems.
   
   
2. Capability to defend surrounding waters and protect sea lines of communication
   
   (1) Concerning vessels, build escort ships, submarines, mine-sweepers, missile craft and other ships. In constructing escort ships, replacement and modernization shall be promoted while paying attention to the overall efficiency of the escort ship units.
   
   (2) Concerning aircraft, continue to acquire the patrol helicopters (SH-60J). To respond to the future trends of science and technology and to utilize the existing fixed-wing patrol aircraft (P-3C) in the future, implement a test modification program for necessary upgrading of its capability. In addition, with regard to the follow-on aircraft to the fixed-wing patrol aircraft (P-3C), take necessary measures after conducting a study.
   
   
3. Capability to counter airborne and amphibious landing invasion
   
   (1) Concerning such capability as to destroy enemy in the outer seas and coastal waters, acquire new fighter-support (F-2) as the follow-on aircraft to the existing fighter-support (F-1) as well as continue to acquire the surface to ship guided missiles (SSM-1).
   
   (2) Concerning fire power, armored mobility and anti-tank artillery, with the emphasis upon replacement and modernization of the obsolete equipment, acquire such systems as guns, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, armored vehicles and anti-tank artillery including the multi-purpose guided missile systems. To improve airborne fire power, continue to acquire anti-tank helicopters (AH-1S).
   
   
4. Transportation capability and mobility
   
   Concerning transportation capability and mobility, continue to acquire such systems as the transportation helicopter (CH-47) and the transportation ship. In addition, with regard to the follow-on aircraft to the existing transport aircraft (C-1), take necessary measures after conducting a study.
   
   Conduct a study on in-flight refueling function about such points as performance and operational concepts of tanker aircraft, reach a conclusion and take steps.
   
   
5. Intelligence, command, control and communication capability
   
   (1) Concerning such capability as warning and surveillance, continue to upgrade the fixed type three-dimensional radar systems and transportable warning and surveillance radar systems. Achieve initial operational capability of the AWACS aircraft and improve and posture for surveillance of the surrounding waters and airspace by vessels, aircraft and other systems. In addition, take necessary measures to enhance rationalization and efficiency of the aircraft control and warning units.
   
   (2) Concerning intelligence, improve the function by creation of a new central intelligence organization to enhance such points as a structure comprehensively capable of high-level gathering and analysis of intelligence including strategic intelligence, and establish an efficient structure of the intelligence units. In addition, acquire various measures of intelligence gathering and retain highly able intelligence specialists.
   
   (3) Concerning command, control and communication, to ensure command and control structures by which the central authority can send timely and appropriate directives from joint and integrated point of view, when the headquarter building of the Defense Agency is relocated, build up a New Central Command System (NCCS). In addition, continue to promote various measures such as establishment of the Integrated Defense Digital Network (IDDN), improvement of command and control capability and utilization of communication via satellite.
   
   
6. Sustainability and invulnerability
   
   Concerning sustainability and reduction of vulnerability, continue to take various measures including ammunition stockpiling.
   
   
7. Education and training scheme
   
   To enhance the fulfillment, efficiency and rationalization of the scheme for education and training, retain in education and training sections the same systems as those deployed to the front line units. As a part of these efforts acquire the fighter-interceptors (F-15DF) and the new fighter-supports (F-2).
   
   In addition, acquire such aircraft as intermediate level jet trainer (T-4), a training support ship and various equipment for education and training, as well as improve environments for education and training such as facilities for training.
   
   
8. Search and rescue structure
   
   To enhance the structure for search and rescue and its efficiency, continue to acquire such systems as the rescue flying boat (US-1A), the rescue helicopters (UH-60J) and the search and rescue aircraft (U-125A).
   
   
9. Personnel, and medical and sanitary affairs
   
   To retain personnel with high morale and capability and broad perspective, promote such various measures in personnel administration and medical and sanitary affairs as improvement of treatment of the personnel, and interchanges of personnel with the other ministries and agencies and the private sector.
   
   At the same time, to improve the living and working conditions of the personnel, while paying attention to such factors as the climate and the job characteristics, and transition to the new organizational structure, continue to promote construction and improvement of barracks and quarters as well as provision and fulfillment of welfare facilities.
   
   
10. Facilities
    
    (1) Promote reconstruction of old ramshackle buildings and provide facilities required for such purposes as acquisition of equipment and for organization of the units. Construct and improve facilities for ammunition storage and training.
    
    (2) To achieve greater harmony with the local communities, continue to promote measures for the areas surrounding bases.
    
    
11. Technological research and development
    
    Promote research and development of such system and equipment as various kinds of guided missiles including a new medium-range surface to air guided missile and a rescue flying boat (improved US-1A) while paying due attention to holding down the total life-cycle costs. In addition, enhance scheme for technological research and development. Taking the trend of technological progress into sufficient consideration, conduct various researches including those for technological demonstration to contribute to establish advanced technologies.
    
    
12. Measures to enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements
    
    (1) Promote exchange of information and policy consultation.
    
    (2) Establish an effective posture for cooperation in operational areas including joining studies, exercises and training as well as enhancement of mutual support in those areas.
    
    (3) Make efforts to enhance broad mutual exchange in the areas of equipment and technologhy such as Japan-U.S. joint research.
    
    (4) Continue to promote host national support and measures to facilitarte smooth and effective stationing of the U.S. forces in Japan including consolidation, realignment and reduction of the facilities and areas in Okinawa.
    
    
13. Disaster relief and other activities
    
    Take various measures to provide timely and appropriate disaster relief and other activities in large-scale disaster and various other situatins which require the protection of lives or assets.
    
    
14. Contributin to creation of a more stable security environment
    
    (1) Take various measures to fulfill in timely and appropriate way such missions as international peace cooperation assignments.
    
    (2) Continue to promote security dialogues and exchanges among defense authorities to enhance mutual confidnece with countries including neighboring states.
    
    (3) Cooperate with efforts of the United Nations and other international organizations in the areas of arms control and diarmament.
    
    
15. Others
    
    (1) Concerning ballistic missile defense, a conclusion shall be reached after conducting from comprehensive point of view a sufficient study on such aspects as its usefulness, cost-effevtiveness.
    
    (2) To hold down procurement prices and other costs, while responding to the trends toward information-oriented society, make efforts to establish an efficient scheme for procurement and supply.

4. Scales of Procurement

Among equipment acquisition programs set forth in the section "3. major programs," specific scales of acquisition of the major equipment are described in the annexed table.

5 Expenses Required

1. The ceiling of the total amount of the defense-related expenditures required for the implementation of this plan is estimated at approximately JPY 25.15 trillion at FY1995 prices.
   
   
2. In compilation of the budget for each fiscal year, efforts shall be made for further efficiency and rationalization, and the utmost efforts shall be made to hold down expenses, while the budget shall be determined within the scope of the required expenses, taking into account economic and much severer fiscal conditions at the time, and seeking harmony with other national policies. Furthermnore, in such cases when additional programs are particularly necessary as response to an unpredictable situation in the future and contirbution to creation of a more stable security environment, with approval of the Security Council, the programs may be implemented within the limits of JPY 110 billion in addition to expenses required in this plan.
   
   During this process, the spirit of seeking a moderate defense build-up as stated in "the Defense Program for the Future" (approved by the Security Council and the Cabinet on January 24, 1987) shall continue to be respected.
   
   
3. The plan is subject to review if necessary after three years within the total amount of funding set forth in this plan, taking into account the international situation, technological trends, economic and fiscal conditions and other factors in and outside Japan at the time.

Annexed Table