Japan to Revamp Defense Policy

TOKYO—Japan will refocus its defense policy to address threats in the oceans south and west of the nation, reflecting growing concerns about China's rising military power.

The shift will be the central theme of Tokyo's new National Defense Program Guidelines, which will set the defense-policy framework for the next decade and replace ones adopted in December 2004. Lawmakers and government officials familiar with defense policy said the guidelines were expected to be approved this week.

The new guidelines call on Japan's Self-Defense Forces to embrace more-flexible capabilities to cope with ...

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