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Japan´s army emerges from shadows as Defense Agency upgrades to Ministry

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-10-2007 09:22

Japan's conservative government has upgraded its Defense Agency to a full ministry for the first time since the Second World War. This is in line with a push from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to give his military a bigger profile.

At a formal ceremony on Tuesday, Defense Agency Chief Fumio Kyuma was named Defense Minister. The new ministry will enjoy larger budgets as well as more prestige. Kyuma said enhancing Japan's military is necessary.

Fumio Kyuma, Japanese Defense Minister, said, "Following ballistic missile launching and the announcement of nuclear testing by the DPRK, the security problem facing our nation continues to be severe. We also need to deal more proactively with the framework of international society for peace and stability."

The name plaque at the main gate of the Defense Agency headquarters in central Tokyo was replaced shortly before the ceremony. The new one was written by Kyuma himself.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the upgrade of the agency important for regional security.

Shinzo Abe, Japanese PM, said, "This transition shows the world Japan's maturity as a democratic nation and our confidence in civilian control and, furthermore, our strong intention to play an important role in efforts to maintain regional security in East Asia."

The bill raised by the Japanese government to upgrade the Defense Agency to a full ministry cleared the Lower House plenary session in late November. It passed the Upper House in mid-December.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan