CCTV9英语新闻：日本军事扩张的意图（在线收听）

There has been four editions prior to Japan’s newly released National Defense Program Guidelines.

In 1976, the Japanese government proposed a so-called "basic defense force" to fend itsefl from small-scale invasions. It set the late Soviet Union as an imaginary enemy and stressed that the country should maintain the minimum combat ability.

In 1995, Japan made a second edition of its Defense Program Guidelines, extending the responsibility of its self-defense forces from defending the country to making contributions to world peace. It laid ground for the Japanese forces to conduct international missions.

In 2004, the country listed safeguarding international security as a major task of its self-defense forces. The third edition also set China’s normal military development as a threat to Japan.

The fourth edition in 2010 denied its previous policies of having the "basic defense force". Instead, it called for a more active defense force. It also said Japan should strengthen security on islands South to the Kyushu Island, which included China’s Diaoyu island.