Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s National Security Council on Wednesday adopted its “Implementation Guidelines for Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA)”, which provides guidelines for “a new cooperation framework for the benefit of armed forces and other related organizations of like-minded countries,” which were approved by the Cabinet on December 16, 2022.

The Implementation Guidelines for Japan’s Official Security Assistance notes that the international community is facing changes defining an era and “Japan is situated in the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II. In this context, in order to protect and promote Japan’s own national interests, it is indispensable for us to make consistent efforts, not only to strengthen our own capacities and roles, but also to proactively foster a peaceful, stable and highly predictable international environment based on the rule of law.”

Japan says measures needed to take such action include enhancing the security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, which, it admits, has required “diplomatic undertakings and economic assistance to promote peace, stability and prosperity worldwide.”

The Guidelines say Japan will establish Official Security Assistance as a cooperation framework to provide equipment and supplies as well as assistance for the development of infrastructure for the benefit of the armed forces and related organizations of various countries. 

“By enhancing their security and deterrence capabilities, OSA aims to deepen our security cooperation with the countries, to create a desirable security environment for Japan, and to contribute to maintaining and strengthening international peace and security,” the Guidelines state.

Japan says it will provide OSA for boosting the security and deterrence capabilities of recipient countries so that they will be able to contribute to regional peace and security by themselves through, for example, monitoring and surveillance in territorial waters and airspace, counter- terrorism and counter-piracy.

Japan will also provide humanitarian assistance associated with both natural disasters and conflicts, to include such help as disaster response, search and rescue operations, lifesaving, medical care and transportation of humanitarian relief goods.

Japan says the aim of OSA is “to foster a desirable security environment for Japan” and deciding on who can receive it will take into account factors such as the application of democracy, the rule of law, protection of basic human rights, economic and social situations, and bilateral relations.