Defense of Japan 2011 – (Provisional Translation): “This year’s white paper is the second publication since the new administration took office. As the security environment surrounding Japan changes at a rapid pace, this year the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) experienced numerous milestone events within Japan and aboard. First, there was the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11. The earthquake, which was the largest in recorded Japanese history, caused an unprecedented level of damage. The MOD and SDF exerted around-the-clock efforts, engaging in relief activities for disaster victims and responding to the nuclear disaster…The New National Defense Program Guidelines lay out the new concept of “dynamic defense forces,” focusing on the operation of defense forces in consideration of the current security environment. The new Guidelines also state that Japan will work to ensure effective deterrence and response while also improving stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the global security environment. Working under the Mid-Term Defense Program with the aim of realizing “dynamic defense forces,” the MOD and SDF are promoting considerations for structural reform to improve the effectiveness of the defense forces in order to conduct fundamental revisions of the equipment, personnel, and organizations spanning the entire SDF.”