The new defense guideline calling for a drastic shift to the southwest is a necessary and natural move for Japan amid China's growing military might and tougher diplomatic posture in the East China Sea, military analysts said.
The National Defense Guideline approved by the government Friday labels China "a matter of concern" and calls for a stronger defense around the remote Nansei Islands of southwestern Japan, including new deployments of Self-Defense Forces units.
The Nansei Islands refer to the chain that runs in an arc south of Kyushu and east of Taiwan, including Amami, Okinawa and the Senkaku islands.