International operations will become the 'primary duty' of Japan's military under recommendations expected to be adopted by the government.
The report, due to be submitted to cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda this month, plots a dramatic departure for Japan's military, from a role of being solely responsible for the country's internal security to one where international operations are commonplace.
The controversial recommendations have been compiled by a panel under the guidance of one of the country's most prominent diplomats, former UN undersecretary-general Yasushi Akashi.
It will be almost impossible for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's government, with clear nationalist leanings and scared of losing ground to the far right, to ignore the report. The panel also seeks a greater regional and global role for the police in operations overseas.
The panel's report is the latest sign that the United States' war on terror has proved convenient to those in Japan who seek a greater role for the country's military.
As much was admitted yesterday when a senior legislator said the controversial despatch of a Japanese warship equipped with an Aegis missile-detection system to the Indian Ocean was not unrelated to a visit by US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage yesterday.