Tokyo, Jan 06: The Japanese government is considering a cut of about 30 per cent in the number of tanks and artillery, while boosting ground forces personnel by more than 5,000, a news report said today. In the new framework of the national defense programme outline, the government is also considering dispensing with the guideline under which Japan possesses the minimum necessary defence capability, the top-selling Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said, citing a government source.
Japan currently has about 1,48,000 ground troops, and "we are trying to adjust the number so that we can effectively deal with new types of security concerns," an army spokesman said, without commenting directly on the Yomiuri report.
Since its establishment in 1954, the military has been organised and equipped primarily to counter the threat of Soviet invasion.
The official said the ground self defence force, as the army is officially termed, has about 1,080 tanks along with 900 artillery pieces.
Under the new defence framework, those would be cut to about 600 to 650 each, the Yomiuri said.
Defence agency officials also declined to comment on the Yomiuri report.
International co-operative tasks, such as UN peacekeeping operations, will be promoted from incidental duties of Japanese soldiers to their primary duties under the new framework, the Yomiuri said. Bureau Report