TOKYO, July 26 (UPI) -- The Japanese Defense Ministry has recommended Tokyo employ surveillance drones to deter intimidation from China.
An interim report for the National Defense Program Guidelines, created by Japan's military and released Friday, outlines plans to beef up Japan's defense measures, including the use of state-of-the-art surveillance drones and enhanced defense capability against cyberattacks, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
The drones will be used to counter actions by China, which has heightened its activities in areas surrounding Japanese airspace and waters.
The report makes reference to the possible purchase of Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks, which can fly at an altitude of more than 59,000 feet for more than 30 hours.
To curb cyberattacks, the report suggests the Defense Ministry create relationships with private-sector companies and the United States.
The report also states Japan should improve its ballistic capabilities to counter aggression from North Korea.
The military should "upgrade its deterrent and intercepting capabilities against [North Korea's] ballistic missiles by improving its anti-ballistic-missile system in a comprehensive manner," the report said.
