TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government approved during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning the 2006 defense white paper, which stresses the importance of strengthening Japan-U.S. alliance.

    The "Defense of Japan 2006," which for the first time devotes a full chapter to expounding security ties with the United States, described the Japan-U.S. alliance as an indispensable basis for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

    The annual government report on defense points out that Japan and the United States should develop new measures to ensure regional peace and stability according to changes of security atmosphere in the Asia-Pacific, indicating that it is necessary for the two countries to cooperate not only in the scope of the "Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America," but also join hands in political, economic and other fields to tackle with all kinds of emerging questions facing the world.

    The document explains the necessity to upgrade the Defense Agency to a ministry and the significance to include international peace cooperation activities as part of the Self Defense Force's primary missions.

    Upgrading the defense agency will be conducive for Japan to strengthen its posture for contingency responses and for "proactive efforts" for international peace cooperation activities, the white paper said.

    It also states that Japan's basic defense policy will not change after the prospective upgrade of the agency.

    The white paper, which is compiled by the Defense Agency and presented by Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga, also reiterates the Japanese government's grave concerns about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, saying the pending danger not only threatens Japan's security, but also poses challenges to the international society. Enditem