Page 20 - 2018 Defense White Paper

2015, reportedly carries out missions to enhance the quality of the PLA’s operational capabilities

including information, electronic, cyber, space, and psychological war fare operations.
Recently, there have been many cases where Chinese military aircraft entered the Korea Air
Defense Identif ication Zone (KADIZ) without prior notice and f lew close to ROK territorial

waters. Such incidents raise regional tension and may lead to collisions with ROK military
or civil aircraft. In response, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) called in the military
attachés of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul over seven occasions 11) and made strong complaints

on the incidents, demanding China’s measures to prevent their recurrence.

| Japan | In July 2014, under the mantra of “proactive pacif ism,” Japan changed its

constitutional interpretation of exercising the right to collective self-defense, and has been since
expanding the role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). By revising the “Guidelines for
U.S.–Japan Defense Cooperation” in April 2015, and amending national security laws and
regulations 12) in September of the same year, Japan created legal basis to exercise the right of

collective self-defense against existential threats that may not necessarily be direct attacks to
Japan. Should Japan deem a situation to signif icantly affect Japan, Japan may now provide

rear-area support including refueling and munitions supply not only to the U.S. forces, but also
to other nations’ forces without geographical limitations. The range of JSDF activities and types
of missions have been extended to include rescue operations for overseas Japanese nationals, the
protection of U.S. and other foreign troops in action with the JSDF, and security assistance and

escort missions in the context of peacekeeping operations.
In late 2018, Japan began transforming the vision of its forces called “Dynamic Joint Defense
Force” to the concept of “multidimensional Joint Defense Force,” ref lecting the changes in the

security environment including North Korea’s nuclear and missile development and China’s
military strength buildup. To support the conversion, Japan revised the National Defense
Program Guidelines and the Mid-Term Defense Plan, and confirmed the 2018 defense budget

11) On February 27, April 28, July 27, August 29, October 29, November 26, and December 27 in 2018
12) They include the new enactment of the International Peace Support Act and the revision of the Self-Defense
Force Act, Ship Inspection Operations Act, International Peace Cooperation Act, Armed Attack Situations
Response Act, and Act Concerning Measures to Ensure Peace and Security in Situations That Will Have an
Important Influence on Japan’s Peace and Security.

18 Chapter 1 Changes and Challenges in the Security Environment