Japan eyes 'bigger army'

TOKYO (Reuters) - A draft of Japans new mid-term defence policy guidelines is calling for the reinforcement of
military personnel and equipment in the face of growing regional tensions, Kyodo news agency said.
The draft, obtained by Kyodo, says Japan needs to reverse its policy of reducing its defence budgets in light of
North Koreas missile launches and nuclear tests, as well as Chinas rise to a major military power, the news
agency said.
The document urges the govt to raise the number of Ground Self-Defence Forces troops by 5,000 to 160,000,
Kyodo said.
The new National Defence Programme Guidelines, covering five years to March 2015, are scheduled to be
adopted by the government by the end of the year.
The draft also says there is a need to secure options responsive to changing situations of international security,
indicating Tokyos intention of considering if it should be capable of striking enemy bases, Kyodo said.
Japans pacifist constitution has been interpreted as allowing a military only for self-defence and some experts
say a pre-emptive strike doctrine would stretch that too far.