Japan’s overworked defence ministry plans first new bureau since 2007

Japan’s move to establish a new bureau to boost defence cooperation with allies is part of Tokyo’s wider policy to deepen deterrence against China, analysts say, adding that the internal reform was also long overdue for the government.The new unit will be under the defence ministry to oversee international coordination with like-minded countries, according to government and political sources cited by local media earlier this month.The move is said to be aimed at strengthening the ministry’s capacity to work more closely with allies amid what Tokyo sees as an increasingly challenging security environment.