New legislation for peace and security, which passed the Japanese Diet in September, presents changes in future cooperation between the U.S. and Japan. In the past, our governments kept with the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, which focused on cooperation during contingencies in Japan and situations in areas surrounding Japan. However, after entering the 21st century and with the aggravation of the global security environment, we all now face new and tangible challenges that jeopardize the international order and stability that was developed, in large part, by our tremendous collective efforts. Therefore, it is necessary to have proactive efforts toward peace and stability among allies and friendly nations.Against this backdrop, and after 18 years, the defense guidelines were finally revised at the end of April. The contents of the new guidelines encompass viewpoints from three domains:- From the aspect of the time domain, we seamlessly cover activities from peacetime through the response for contingencies.- In the aspect of the space domain, we transition from a regional focus to a global focus.- In the aspect of cyberspace domain, we have now included the spheres of cyber awareness and cybersecurity.In addition, we also articulated how to prepare the Japan-U.S. bilateral plan in peacetime for contingencies relevant to Japan’s peace and security. I am certain that the enactment of this plan will enhance the effectiveness of bilateral responses, and that the bilateral preparation of the plan itself will also contribute to the deterrence of any challenges against the international order.Through years of examination and discussion, the government of Japan developed new peace and security legislation, which was necessary to improve the effectiveness of Japan-U.S. cooperation and to further contribute to international peace and security. The new legislation changes this cooperation.First, the right of collective self-defense will change. Previously, our government stated that we have the right of “collective self-defense,” which all sovereign states possess, but “we cannot execute that right.” To clarify, if there were an armed attack against one of our allies, like the U.S., we could not apply use of force unless Japan itself was attacked. If there were a ballistic missile attack in the vicinity of Japan that also presented an imminent danger to Japan itself, we could not intercept the missiles approaching any U.S. vessels that have the capabilities to counter by themselves.From this day forward, however, we can exercise the use of force with U.S. forces in situations such as this. Use of force, however, will be permitted only when strict conditions are met—that is, when an attack risks Japan’s survival and endangers people’s lives, and when there is no other appropriate means available to repel the attack. The use of force must also be limited to the minimum extent necessary.I believe that this is still a huge step in collaboration with the U.S. toward protecting the lives of Japanese citizens and the citizens of our allies, both domestically and abroad.Second, terms for logistics support of the U.S. military will change. Until this new legislation passed, the Diet had to enact a special measures law prior to engaging in logistics support operations to the U.S. and other military forces who were engaging in activities and shedding sweat to eliminate the threat against peace and security in the international community. Moreover, our logistics support was limited to an area where, we acknowledge, combat activities would not take place; this area needed to be firmly designated for a long period of time.With the enforcement of this new general legislation, we can now engage in logistics support operations more proactively. This does not yet mean we will be allowed to participate without limitations in all operations conducted by coalition forces. Certain conditions must exist before participation, such as Diet approval, and operations must be conducted outside of an area where combat activities are actually being conducted.Even with these restrictions, I believe the enactment of this new legislation is an enormous step for Japan toward contributing to the rapid and effective restoration of peace and security around the world. Third, Japan will change protection of weapons and other assets. Under the new legislation, we can protect weapons and assets of U.S. forces and other foreign military just like weapons and assets of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, while conducting peacetime exercises and other missions. For example, using a Navy reference, this new legislation will allow our Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers to provide protection of an Aegis-equipped U.S. Navy destroyer bilaterally patrolling with Maritime Self-Defense Forces for ballistic missiles in the waters surrounding Japan. Moreover, regarding logistics support to U.S. forces in peacetime, the Japanese Self-Defense Force can now provide logistics support including the supply of ammunition to U.S. forces and other foreign forces who participate in multinational exercises.Fourth, Japan’s international peacekeeping and security cooperation activities will change. In the past, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force mainly engaged in activities pertaining to the development of infrastructure and transportation services. Now, we can make more proactive contributions through sending a force commander for U.N. peacekeeping missions, in addition to providing staff officers at a wider variety of positions in the headquarters as well as through establishing or re-establishing governments’ defense organizations. We expect to conduct coordination with U.S. military personnel at the headquarters level, and to promote cooperation with U.S. forces who engage in capacity building support for fragile states.I believe that we have, at long last, developed legislation that meets the needs of the times. But it is the members of the Japan Self-Defense Force who will breathe life into this legislation. For the sake of a more effective Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will more proactively commit to Japan-U.S. bilateral exercises to promote more active international cooperation efforts with the U.S. and other friendly nations.