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A White Paper from Japan's Defense Agency (JDA) says the threat of international terrorism or a ballistic missile attack is far greater than a Cold War-style invasion, indicating a rethinking in spending away from the country's traditional defensive stance. In a 1995 White Paper, the JDA acknowledged the end of the Cold War and the need to restructure Japan's forces into a smaller, more efficient power. The paper cites two main threats, international terrorism and North Korea's nuclear weapons program and ballistic missiles.

The article focuses on a report that North Korea's nuclear brinkmanship and the change of political leadership in Tokyo, Japan are combining to give renewed impetus to efforts to strengthen the Japanese military and arrest the slide in defense spending. A recent policy white paper issued by the Japan Defense Agency points out that North Korea's July ballistic missile launch is a serious challenge from the viewpoint of Japan's security.