New evidence has surfaced that suggests the Myanmarese government may have a direct responsibility over the shooting and eventual death of a Japanese journalist, Kenji Nagai, and many more unnamed but no less mourned people who died during the turmoil in Yangoon. According to Mainichi Daily News Online article, Mainichi has obtained secret military documents from Myanmar that specifically orders the troops to employ “resolute measures” when dealing with the protesters, monks, and camera men - meaning, to shoot anyone in this categories if the soldiers cannot make arrests. 

The government has just published the 2008 version of its annual Defense White Paper in which domestic and international “defense” situation is pondered and analyzed. The highlight of this year’s paper is Japan’s continuing suspicions on China’s ballooning military spending in which Japan wants more transparency and the reason (intention) behind the buildup itself. Other new highlights of the paper mentions China’s intention to create a unit capable in waging cyber warfare, and a series of important domestic scandals involving Defense Minister Moriya who is accused of corruption, and the Aegis Destroyer’s collision with a fishing vessel implying that domestic “defense” situation is not so good either.  

The Japan Defense White Papers are seriously considered in both academe and political literatures in Japan, since they reflect the governments overall standpoint about Japan’s international military relations.