Defense Agency upgraded to ministry

The Defense Agency was upgraded to full ministry status Tuesday for the first time since its inception in 1954 amid persistent concerns over effective civilian control of Japan's defense forces. Along with the upgrade, the Self-Defense Forces' overseas international peace cooperation activities — including disaster relief, U.N.-led peacekeeping and logistical support in regional contingencies — were redefined as main duties rather than subordinate ones.

Critics say the development has made it possible that Japan's defense policy may see a conversion from its exclusively defense-only posture to a more internationally proactive one. Against this backdrop, they are calling for tougher civilian control of the SDF, given the expectation that discussion will intensify on such issues as whether to stipulate a permanent law to make SDF dispatches overseas easier and whether to allow Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.