Japan strengthens defence forces, bracing for aggression.

PYONGYANG, December 30 (Itar-Tass) - A law adopted by Japan, granting
the right to its self-defence forces to inspect ships, sailing to and from
North Korea, "shows Tokyo's intention to fan up tension in the Korean
Peninsula", says a commentary, transmitted by the North Korean KCNA news
agency.
Its authors claim that while bracing for aggression, the Japanese
authorities strengthen the potential of air and naval self-defence forces.
A programme, recently published by the Japanese government, expressed
support for creating "a dynamic defence system" for a quick response to
new threats which now include the rise in the Chinese military might as
well as the North Korean nuclear and missile programmes.
In this connection, KCNA continues, Japan intends to deploy mobile
units of self-defence forces in southwestern areas of the country so as
"to aim at the Korean Peninsula and China".
In the opinion of the North Korean leading newspaper Rodong Sinmun,
Japan plans to form marine units according to an American model, based on
its own self-defence forces. The newspaper reckons that such
reorganisation is "another step on the way of Japan's militarization".
The newspaper calls attention to the dangerous nature of joint
participation of Japan and the US in war games, targeted against North
Korea and other neighbouring countries. The US seeks to use Japan and
South Korea as "striking forces to materialise its strategy in North East
Asia, including the DPRK", notes Rodong Sinmun.
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