（单词翻译:单击）
There has been four editions prior to Japan’s newly released National Defense1 Program Guidelines.
In 1976, the Japanese government proposed a so-called "basic defense force" to fend2 itsefl from small-scale invasions. It set the late Soviet3 Union as an imaginary enemy and stressed that the country should maintain the minimum combat ability.
In 1995, Japan made a second edition of its Defense Program Guidelines, extending the responsibility of its self-defense forces from defending the country to making contributions to world peace. It laid ground for the Japanese forces to conduct international missions.
In 2004, the country listed safeguarding international security as a major task of its self-defense forces. The third edition also set China’s normal military development as a threat to Japan.
The fourth edition in 2010 denied its previous policies of having the "basic defense force". Instead, it called for a more active defense force. It also said Japan should strengthen security on islands South to the Kyushu Island, which included China’s Diaoyu island.
